Facile synthesis of FeOCl/iron hydroxide hybrid nanosheets: enhanced catalytic activity as a Fenton-like catalyst

Abstract

A facile rapid thermal annealing method to prepare FeOCl/iron hydroxide hybrid nanosheets is reported. We first analyzed theoretically the exfoliation possibility of layered FeCl₃·6H₂O. Then, the FeOCl/iron hydroxide hybrid nanosheets were successfully obtained experimentally using the rapid annealing of FeCl₃·6H₂O. As a Fenton reagent, FeOCl/iron hydroxide hybrid nanosheets showed outstanding properties in the catalytic degradation of dye molecules in water at room temperature, under neutral pH conditions, and with visible light irradiation. Moreover, the hybrid nanosheets showed excellent structural stability. The degradation activity did not show a decrease during four successive cycles. Apart from the increased surface area of the nanosheets, the surface state change of the nanosheets also plays a key role in improving their catalytic performance and stability. The partial substitution of hydroxyl groups for chlorine on the surface promotes the generation of OH˙ radicals and degradation of dye molecules.