Fabrication of Polymer@α-FeOOH Core–Shell Particles for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutant

α-FeOOH nanocrystals were grown on the surface of polymeric spheres through in situ hydrothermal synthesis. The polymer with the surface amine groups was composed of styrene, divinylbenzene and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate via emulsion polymerization, which abbreviated it as PSDM. The structure and component of PSDM@α-FeOOH composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy. It was observed that the crystal structure, morphology and dispersion of α-FeOOH depended on different factors, i.e., temperature, reactant concentration and ferric salt types. A plausible formation mechanism of PSDM@α-FeOOH composites was revealed based on the systematic investigations of the assembly process. Additionally, it was possible for this method to be extended to synthesis the composite particles for other metal ions. The photocatalytic activity of the composites had been discussed by testing the degradation of rhodamine B as well as methylene blue and neutral red in the presence of H 2 O 2 . The measurements demonstrated that PSDM@α-FeOOH composites catalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic ability and superior stability.