Hierarchical <I>α</I>-Fe<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> Hollow Spheres: Facile Synthesis, Formation Mechanism and Their Application in Cr(VI) Removal

Abstract

In this paper, a simple and efficient route had been developed for the synthesis of hierarchical α-Fe2O3 hollow microspheres with open pores on the shells. All chemicals used were low-cost compounds and environmentally benign. The as-prepared samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) gas sorptometry. The results showed that the chelating ligand SSA and the initial pH value of the solution played important roles in the morphological control of the α-Fe2O3 nanostructures. A possible formation mechanism was described based on the experimental results. The obtained α-Fe2O3 hollow spheres exhibited an excellent adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) ions because of their high surface area and a good ability to preserve the accessible surface.