Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of α-Fe 2 O 3 /Bentonite Composite Prepared by Mechanical Milling

Abstract

Preparation of α-Fe 2 O 3 /bentonite composite has been carried out by solid state reaction method by using iron ore from Aceh Besar district, Aceh as hematite source and bentonite from Kuala Dewa, North Aceh. The α-Fe 2 O 3 was extracted from iron ore using hydrochloric acid and precipitated using ammonium hydroxide. The α-Fe 2 O 3 /bentonite composite was prepared by mixing α-Fe 2 O 3 and bentonite at 4: 1 ratio using ball mill for 2 h. The XRD results showed that the dominant phase of iron ore was magnetite (Fe 2 O 3 ) and was converted to α-Fe 2 O 3 after extracting and calcined at 700 C. The photocatalytic activity of α-Fe 2 O 3 /bentonit composite was evaluated on degradation of indigo carmine (IC) dye at various condition of pH, photocatalyst mass, initial dye concentration and irradiation time. The results showed that the highest photocatalytic activity of α-Fe 2 O 3 /bentonite composite was obtained at an initial pH of 1, a photocatalyst mass of 250 mg and an initial dye concentration of 5 mg/L with UV irradiation time for 2 h. The photocatalytic activity of α-Fe 2 O 3 /bentonite composite using solar light was higher than that of UV light.