Hematite homogeneous core/shell hierarchical spheres: Surfactant-free solvothermal preparation and their improved catalytic property of selective oxidation

Journal Article · Sun Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2011.11.003· OSTI ID:21612859

Suoyuan, Lian ^[1]; Haitao, Li; Xiaodie, He ^[1]; Lee, Shuit Tong ^[1]

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1. Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Box 32, 199 Ren-ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123 (China)

Solvothermal synthesis is an efficient synthetic method for preparing nano and micromaterials. Preparation of hematite through alcoholysis of ferric ion under solvothermal condition has been carried out at low concentrations. In this paper, Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} homogeneous core/shell hierarchical nanostructures were synthesized via solvothermal treatment of FeCl{sub 3}{center_dot}6H{sub 2}O and ethanol. The achievements of such structures can be attributed to two important factors: high temperature and high concentration. Besides, the crystal water and reaction time were also important factors to the synthesis of hematite. The prepared samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and pore size distribution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed a satellite peak at 719.8 eV, which is the characteristic peak of Fe(III). The formation mechanism of the spheres and the effects of the reactant concentrations and reaction temperatures have been discussed. Moreover, the enhanced catalytic activity of the spheres has also been investigated through oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with high conversion (42%) and selectivity (95%). - Graphical abstract: Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} homogeneous core/shell hierarchical microspheres were synthesized by solvothermal method. Owing to the special structure, the synthesized Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} microspheres exhibit a superior catalytic activity in benzyl oxidation. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hierarchical Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} core/shell microspheres were synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Microspheres were assembled by {beta}-FeOOH. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The sample exhibits a superior catalytic activity and selectivity. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The high activity and selectivity are due to the hierarchical core/shell structure.

• OSTI ID: 21612859
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 185; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2011.11.003; PII: S0022-4596(11)00596-2; Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
BENZALDEHYDE
BENZYL ALCOHOL
CRYSTALS
ETHANOL
FERRITES
HEMATITE
IRON CHLORIDES
IRON OXIDES
MICROSPHERES
OXIDATION
RAMAN SPECTRA
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SHELLS
SURFACE AREA
SURFACTANTS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
X-RAY SPECTROMETERS
ALCOHOLS
ALDEHYDES
AROMATICS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
COHERENT SCATTERING
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
FERRIMAGNETIC MATERIALS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IODIDES
IODINE COMPOUNDS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON HALIDES
IRON IODIDES
IRON ORES
MAGNETIC MATERIALS
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROSCOPY
MINERALS
ORES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
SCATTERING
SPECTRA
SPECTROMETERS
SPECTROSCOPY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS