Fabrication of one-dimensional mesoporous α-Fe2O3 nanostructure via self-sacrificial template and its enhanced Cr(VI) adsorption capacity

Abstract In the present study, the mesoporous α-Fe 2 O 3 nanorods have been prepared through self-sacrificial template route, which α-FeC 2 O 4 rodlike precursor is employed as template. The growth mechanism of α-FeC 2 O 4 rodlike precursor is investigated on the basis of a series of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) characterization of the products obtained at different durations. Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) observations together with nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurement for the mesoporous α-Fe 2 O 3 nanorods show the formation of mesoporous nanostructure with an average pore size of 4.6 nm and a surface area of 124.6 m 2 /g. One-dimensional mesoporous α-Fe 2 O 3 nanostructures are employed as adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The kinetic study and adsorption isotherm are examined in batch experiments. The kinetic process is described by a pseudo-second-order rate model very well. The adsorption data fits well to the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) uptake on the adsorbent is 22.72 mg/g at 25 °C.