Abstract
α‐Fe2O3, as a promising photocatalyst in environmental aspects, was doped by a nonmetal to enhance the optical and electronic properties. Sulfur‐doped hematite was synthesized by microwave irradiation. The samples were investigated by X‐ray diffraction and energy dispersive X‐ ray‐scanning electron microscopy. Nanostructure particles have a hexagonal structure that did not change after sulfur incorporation. The optical studies via UV–Visible spectroscopy proved the high absorbance of S/α‐Fe2O3under the visible region. Moreover, the band gap of S/α‐Fe2O3 was shifted to higher wavelengths. However, nonmetals may exhibit a negative effect and act as recombination centers as the photoactivity of undoped hematite was still higher in the photodegradation of methyl orange as a pollutant. H2O2 as an oxidant was fourfold better than O2, leading to the formation of the active oxygen species. The preparation method plays a crucial role in the shaping of nanostructure particles and its photoactivity.
The effect of Sulphur doping on the photoactivity of α‐Fe2O3 was unexpected since the undoped α‐Fe2O3 had a highest rate in photodegradation of MO. This indicates that sulphur atoms played a pivotal role in determining the degradation efficiency