Synthesis of Fe3O4 flower-like hierarchical nanostructures with high adsorption performance toward dye molecules

Abstract

3D assembly of iron oxide nanosheets with flower-like structures were synthesized via decomposition of different iron alkoxide precursors by heat treatment. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm, methods. The SEM results show that both samples have flower like structure but one of them is composed of smooth nanosheets and the other one of rough nanosheets. BET surface area and pore size distribution of samples were obtained using N2 adsorption data. The obtained nanostructured flower-like iron oxide act as highly effective sorbent for fast removal of organic dyes pollutants, such as Reactive Orange (RO), Reactive Yellow (RY) and Bismarck Brown (BB), from simulated sewage system. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetic data were modeled with classical and recently developed models.