OICC Press Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry 2193-8865 12 1 (February 2022) 2021 04 12 Enhanced UV-assisted Fenton performance of nanostructured biomimetic α-Fe2O3 on degradation of tetracycline 10.1007/s40097-021-00400-1 EN Hadiza Abdullahi Ari Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resource and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, CN National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, NG Olushola A. Alani Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resource and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, CN Qing-rui Zeng Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resource and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, CN Yunusa Adamu Ugya Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resource and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, CN Department of Environmental Management, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, NG Nnanake-Abasi O. Offiong Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resource and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, CN Wei Feng Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resource and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, CN Journal Article 2021 04 12 Abstract Nanostructured α-Fe 2 O 3 (hematite) were successfully synthesized via a simple plant extract-assisted method using the leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) as the reducing and stabilizing agent and ferric chloride as the precursor. In the absence of additional toxic reducing and stabilizing agents, the plant phytoconstituents also assist in the final shape of the nanocatalyst giving it more reactive sites. The as-synthesized nanostructured hematite was well characterized. FT-IR analysis verified 523 and 458 cm −1 as absorption edge of the α-Fe 2 O 3 NPs. XRD patterns revealed the sample to be of rhombohedral (hexagonal) structure with crystallite sizes of 18.9 nm. SEM and TEM images showed the α-Fe 2 O 3 -AI with bio-C doping to be of perfect crystallinity compared to the normal chemically synthesized α-Fe 2 O 3 , which shows some aggregation. Spectrum from the XPS confirmed the α-Fe 2 O 3 -AI with bio-C doping to be mainly composed of Fe, O, and C. The nanostructured α-Fe 2 O 3 -AI with small bio-C doping possess large surface area and exhibited high performance as a heterogeneous catalyst for the degradation of tetracycline (TC, 50 mg/L) by the synergistic effect of the UV-Fenton (UV/α-Fe 2 O 3 /H 2 O 2 ) compared to the Fenton-like oxidation (α-Fe 2 O 3 /H 2 O 2 ) and photocatalysis (UV/α-Fe 2 O 3 ). Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrated a broad scope pH for efficient UV-Fenton degradation for TC and can be reuse up to five consecutive cycles without significant loss in activity. Graphical abstract