White LED active α-Fe2O3/rGO photocatalytic nanocomposite for an effective degradation of tetracycline and ibuprofen molecules

The formation of phase pure magnetically separable α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3/rGO nanostructures were achieved through a simple hydrothermal technique. The properties of synthesized materials were investigated through different analytical techniques. The formation of phase pure FO and FO/rGO nanostructures were confirmed by XRD analysis with crystallite size of about ∼42 nm and ∼65 nm, respectively. The morphological analysis reveals the formation of sphere-like nanoparticles with high agglomeration. The UV-DRS analysis clearly shows the enhanced visible-light activity of FO/rGO nanoparticles. The BET analysis revealed the mesoporous property of FO/rGO nanocomposite. The enhancement in the photoinduced charge transfer process is observed after including rGO nanoparticles with FO. The photocatalytic efficiency of nanomaterials was analyzed using tetracycline and ibuprofen as model organic pollutants under white LED irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic degradation ability of FO/rGO nanocomposite is studied against both tetracycline and ibuprofen molecules. [Display omitted] •Synthesis of α-Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite is achieved through hydrothermal technique.•UV-DRS analysis show the visible light absorption ability of prepared α-Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposite.•Photocatalytic degradation ability of α-Fe2O3/rGO is studied against ibuprofen and tetracycline.•BET analysis show the formation of mesoporous nanostructures.