Abstract

Background: This paper reports a versatile bentonite clay-mediated growth method for selectively synthesizing zero-dimensional α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and one-dimensional α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods.

Methods: In such a growth process without any other surfactant or additive, the bentonite clay is not only used as the supporter, but also as a shape mediator for α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: The as-prepared products were used to investigate their promising adsorptive and photocatalytic applications in water treatment. According to the Langmuir equation, the maximum adsorption capacity of the α-Fe₂O₃/bentonite composite for Congo red (CR) is calculated to be 96.9 mg·g-1. Furthermore, the α-Fe₂O₃/bentonite nanocomposites also show an excellent photocatalytic property in the degradation of methyl orange (MO).

Conclusion: This facile and novel synthesis method has the potential to be applied to prepare the low-cost α-Fe₂O₃/bentonite nanocomposite for the removal of CR and MO.

Keywords: α-Fe₂O₃/bentonite composite, water treatment, adsorption, photocatalysis, nanopartices, clay-derived synthesis.