Synthesis, characterization of iron oxide (α-Fe2O3)nanoparticles and its application in photocatalytic reduction of chromium (VI)

Abstract

Synthesis of α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles was successfully done by the Sol-Gel method and the powder was calcinated at 4000Synthesized particles were characterized by using SEM, XRD, FTIR, EDX. It was found that Hematite (α-Fe2O3) had a crystalline size of 11.55nm which was confirmed by XRD. The Hematite(α-Fe2O3) was compared with spectra against the Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards Database(JCPDS) and SEM morphology which indicated that IronOxide Nanoparticles were of flower shape at higher magnifications. The FTIR showed the bonds between functional groups and the Fe-O group, O-H bending and vibration bonds. The presence of FeO, Fe, C, in nanomaterial was confirmed by EDX. The iron oxideparticles, α-Fe2O3 (Hematite) of crystalline size 11.55nm were used in the study of photocatalytic reduction of Chromium (VI). Various parameters like Metal concentration, Dosage of Nanoparticles, Contact time and pH were studied. pH maintained for the solutions of different concentrations were 4,5,6,7 and 10.The concentration of Chromium (VI) solution taken for the study was 2,4,6,8 and 10ppm. Keeping concentration and dosage constant, pH was varied. Then concentration was varied by keeping dosage and pH constant. Later, dosage was varied by keeping concentration and pH constant. Dosage of iron oxide taken was 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 125 mg and 150mg. It was observed that photocatalytic reduction by Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) was more effective at metal concentration 2ppm, IONP dosage 100mg, pH 4, and contact time of 150 min with 96.09% reduction of Chromium (VI).