Biosynthesis of elliptical hematite microparticles and their photocatalytic performance

Bashir Ahmmad; Kensaku Kanomata; Fumihiko Hirose; Junichi Kurawaki; Takahiro Ohkubo

Authors

Bashir Ahmmad Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa 992-8510, Japan
Kensaku Kanomata Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa 992-8510, Japan
Fumihiko Hirose Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa 992-8510, Japan
Junichi Kurawaki Department of Chemistry & Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
Takahiro Ohkubo Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan

Keywords:

iron oxide, hydroxyl radical, green tea, green synthesis

Abstract

A green synthesis method of a-Fe₂O₃ microparticles has been developed using the extract of green tea (camellia sinensis) leaves. The as-prepared microparticles were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, UV-visible spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption analysis. The crystallized microparticles were elliptical in shape with a diameter and length of 1mm and 2 mm, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the microparticles was evaluated by the amount of hydroxyl radical formation under visible light irradiation detected by fluorescence spectroscopy. The as-prepared a-Fe₂O₃ showed similar photocatalytic activity as the commercial a-Fe₂O₃ in terms of hydroxyl radical formation. The microparticles were easy to separate from the aqueous suspension by gravity settling after water treatment. A plausible mechanism for the formation of a-Fe₂O₃ microparticles was suggested.

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