Templating synthesis of waxberried hematite hollow spheres

Abstract Novel hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) hollow spheres were prepared through a surfactant-assisted solvothermal process. The XRD, SEM and TEM characterization data confirm that the formation of α-Fe 2 O 3 hollow spheres exhibits waxberry-like architectures with spindle nanoparticles, the length in the range of 150–400 nm, as building block. Their tips of these nanoparticles were concentrated on a center. The sizes of α-Fe 2 O 3 waxberry are less than 3 µm. They possess good photocatalytic properties when used for the degradation of salicylic acid in water. The formation mechanism of α-Fe 2 O 3 waxberry is also discussed.