Abstract: Fe3+-modified ZnO samples with different amounts of Fe were prepared by the ammonia immersion method. The crystal structure, specific surface area, atomic states on surface, and spectral characteristics were analyzed byX-raydiffraction, N2 adsorption,X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of Fe3+/ZnO samples for degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate-10 (NPE-10) was studied under the irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light. The results showed that Fe could be successfully doped on the nano-ZnO crystal. The particle size of Fe3+/ZnO decreased and its specific surface area increased with the increase in doping Fe3+. Compared with the nano-ZnO, the binding energy of Fe 2p in Fe3+/ZnO dropped, but the binding energy of Zn 2p and O 1s increased. The content of adsorbed O and hydroxy O on the surface of Fe3+/ZnO increased remarkably in contrast to that of the pure ZnO sample. The 0.5%Fe3+/ZnO exhibited a red shift in the absorption spectrum. The photocatalytic activity of the 0.5%Fe3+/ZnO sample was highest, and the extra 18% and 69% degradation rate of NPE-10 could be found under3 hirradiation of ultraviolet and visible light, respectively.

Key words: iron, zinc oxide, visible light, ultraviolet light, photodegradation, nonylphenol ethoxylate-10, surfactant