The effect of synthesis method on

the structure and magnetic

properties of α-Fe2O3
Ibrahim Abdulkadir and Bice S. Martincigh
University of KwaZulu-Natal
School of Chemistry and Physics
Westville Campus

postgraduate research day Howard College South Africa 2013 1

 Introduction
• Hematites are semiconductor with an energy
band gap of about 2.1 eV.
• it is the most thermodynamically stable of all
the of iron
• when synthesized in nanoscale, it shows
interesting photolytic as well as magnetic
properties which are different from that of the
bulk.
• its low cost, non-toxicity and aboundance makes
it a candidate for application in various fields
2
 Lots of applications
Water purification Optical and biomedical devices
Energy, lithium bateries

Catalysis
Gas sensors

Magnetic, Memory and capacitor

materials Solar energy conversion

3
 Intro. cont …

• some of the factors that can influence the

physicochemical properties of the fabricated
powders include
i. Synthesis route
ii. Synthesis medium
iii.Synthesis temperature
iv. Duration of synthesis process
v. Annealling temperature (TA)
vi.Adding a surfactant
4
 Intro. cont …
This paper reports the synthesis of α-Fe2O3 in
citric acid, in CTAB and Tween 20 a polysorbate
surfactant.

It also presents the viability of its use as a

potocatalyst.

5
Methodology

6
 Characterization

SEM, TEM and HRTEM to determine crystal

shapes and morphology
BET for SSA and porosity under liquid nitrogen
at 77o K
XRD and Mossbauer spectroscopy to
determine crystal phases, magnetic ordering
and Fe ion distribution

7
 SEM, TEM and HRTEM

TEM and HRTEM images indicating pores, lattice fringes and growth
direction for powders. (a and b) Hem_PR400, (c and d) Hem_SG400,
(e) Hem_SG500, (f) Hem_TW400 and (g and h) Hem_TW500
8
 BET ISOTHRMS……

Adsorption-desorption isotherms in nitrogen at 77 K for

Hem_PR400, Hem_SG400 and Hem_TW400. Hem_TW400
has the largest hysteresis loop.
9
Grain size, surface area and pore sizes for powders
calcined at 400 °C.

10
 MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

Room temperature magnetization curves for hematite

samples annealed at 400 °C. Hem_TW400 has the
highest value for magnetisation, with the coercive field
tending towards superparamagnetism.
11
 MAGN. PROP. Cont….

Hysteresis loops for Hem_TW400, 500 and 600 showing

the reduction in magnetization with increase in
annealing temperature.
12
 VISIBLE LIGHT ACTIVITY…..

Photocatalytic activities of hematite powders annealed at

different temperatures tested on the photodegradation of
the dye, rhodamine B. (a), (b) and (c are plots for 400, 500
and 600 °C respectively. TW, SG and PR represent Hem_TW,
Hem_SG and Hem_PR respectively.
13
 Acknowledgement
• I would like to acknowledge the University of
KwaZulu-Natal for giving me the opportunity to
study
• The School of Chemistry and Physics for a
bursary
• The organizers of this event for the sponsorship
• To my esteemed supervisor Prof. B.S. Martincigh

14
Thank you all for your attention

15