Clay-derived Synthesis of Supported -Fe2O3 Nanoparticles: Shape, Adsorption, and Photo-catalysis

Abstract

This paper reports a versatile bentonite clay-mediated growth method for selectively synthesizing zero-dimensional -Fe2O3 nanoparticles and one-dimensional -Fe2O3 nanorods. In such a growth process without any other surfactant or additive, the bentonite clay is not only used as the supporter, but also as a shape mediator for -Fe2O3 nanocrystals. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-prepared products were used to investigate their promising adsorptive and photocatalytic applications in water treatment. According to the Langmuir equation, the maximum adsorption capacity of the -Fe2O3/bentonite composite for Congo red (CR) is calculated to be 96.9 mg•g-1. Furthermore, the -Fe2O3/bentonite nanocomposites also show an excellent photocatalytic property in the degradation of methyl orange (MO). This facile and novel synthesis method has the potential to be applied to prepare the low-cost -Fe2O3/bentonite nanocomposite for the removal of CR and MO.