Synthesis of functionalized α -Fe2O3 nanoparticles: Characterization and applications

Abstract

In this study, EDTA functionalized α -Fe2O3 (Ferric Oxide) NPs were synthesized via chemical and green synthetic methods. FTIR spectra confirmed the functionalization of NPs with EDTA. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation ‘α’ form of Fe2O3. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra were applied to study the band gap of the NPs and was determined as 2.75 eV. MB and MG dyes were used as model dyes to study the adsorption and photocatalytic properties of NPs under visible and ultraviolet light radiation respectively. FESEM and HRTEM methods are used to study the morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. Surface functionalization played a significant role in understanding the adsorption of dyes onto the surface of the photocatalyst. The crystallite size of chemical synthesized and green synthesized α- Fe2O3 was found to be 12 nm and 9 nm respectively. Maximum degradation efficiency of 58% and 86% was obtained for the degradation of MB and MG respectively and 85.9% of corrosion inhibition efficiency was also achieved. The results proved that functionalization of nanoparticles will lead enhancement of the following mediated synthesized EDTA functionalized α -Fe2O3 is a promising material to use for different application. Hence, green synthesized NPs are expected to offer significant insight into their multifunctional applications.