A magnetically separable photocatalyst based on nest-like γ-Fe₂O₃/ZnO double-shelled hollow structures with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Magnetic nest-like γ-Fe(2)O(3)/ZnO double-shelled hollow nanostructures have been successfully synthesized via a multi-step process. The materials have been thoroughly characterized by different techniques. These interesting nest-like hollow nanostructures are composed of ZnO nanoflakes grown on the surface of γ-Fe(2)O(3) hollow spheres. Importantly, these magnetic hollow nanostructures show very high visible-light photocatalytic activity for the degradation of different organic dyes including methylene blue (MB), Rhodamine-B (RhB), and methyl orange (MO). It is further demonstrated that these γ-Fe(2)O(3)/ZnO hybrid photocatalysts are highly stable and can be used repeatedly.