Synthesis and characterization of nano-hematite

Abstract

In this work, synthesis of α-Fe2O3 via co-precipitation method is reported. Further, their detailed characterizations of structural properties, surface morphology, thermal and optical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), High resolution transmission emission microscopy (HR-TEM), and UV–Visible spectroscopy techniques were performed. All the studies reveal the successful synthesis of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with a polygon-shaped morphology and with an average particle size around 10–25 nm. It also confirmed the development of hexagonal crystal structure with a space group R-3c. The obtained nano powders imparted intense red pigmentation, hence proving its applications in the pigment industry. UV–Visible Spectroscopy showed a standard band-gap of 1.8 eV, which is unexpectedly much smaller in comparison to the prevailing reports. Thus, the synthesis of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with co-precipitation method is promising for band-gap narrowing of the iron oxide systems.