Solvent-less method for efficient photocatalytic alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles using macromolecular polymeric precursors

Abstract

We report a method for solvent-less growth of single crystalline hematite Fe2O3 nanoparticles from metal-containing polymeric macromolecular complexes, and demonstrate their efficient photocatalytic degradation of persistent cationic dye pollutants under visible tight. Macromolecular complexes such as chitosan center dot(FeCl2)(y), chitosan center dot(FeCl3)(y), PS-co-4-PVP center dot(FeCl2)(y) and PS-co-4-PVP center dot(FeCl3)(y) with controlled polymer: metal molar ratios of 1:1 and 5:1 were prepared by single reaction of the respective polymers and iron chloride salts in CH2Cl2. The stable insoluble compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infra-red spectroscopy, EPR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and confirm Fe salts with degrees of coordination of similar to 60-70%. Pyrolysis of these macromolecular precursors under air and at 800 degrees C forms networked Fe2O3 nanoparticles, whose volumetric density, size and shape is controlled by the metal content and the nature of the macromolecular complex (chitosan or PS-co-4-PVP). For both polymers, the 1:1 molar ratio precursor produces nanoparticles ranging from 10-200 nm with a moderate superparamagnetic behavior and optical bandgap marginally larger than bulk Fe2O3. A matrix-incubated formation mechanism involving the carbonization of the organic matter, forming voids within the macro molecular complex wherein the Fe centres coalesce, oxidize and crystallize into nanoparticles is also proposed. The hematite Fe2O3 nanoparticle materials demonstrate very efficient photocatalytic degradation of persistent water pollutants such as the cationic dye methylene blue. The nanoparticulate material obtained from chitosan center dot(FeCl2)(y) 1:1 under the simulated sunlight (full visible spectrum) irradiation provides high rate degradation of MB by 73% in 60 min and >94% after 150 min, measured at 655 nm.