Multifunctional Fe2O3/CeO2 nanocomposites for free radical scavenging ultraviolet protection

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 (alpha-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 center dot radicals.