Multifunctional Fe2O3/CeO2 nanocomposites for free radical scavenging ultraviolet protection

Abstract

In this study we synthesized Fe₂O₃/CeO₂ composite nanoparticles for application as multifunctional ultraviolet (UV) filters. The precipitation of small ceria (CeO₂) nanoparticles onto the surface of larger hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles, results in stronger and more selective absorbance in the (UV) region. Through UV photocatalyst experiments, we show that the addition of these nanocomposite particles significantly reduces the degradation of crystal violet by P25 by scavenging the photogenerated OH˙ radicals.