Photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol a with α-Fe2O3 fibers and particles

Two-step synthesis of Fe2O3 particles, performed by precipitation from iron(III) chloride (FeCl3•6H2O) using ammonium hydroxide in first step and calcination at 400 and 700°C during 4 h, provided Fe2O3 400°C and Fe2O3 700°C photocatalysts, respectively. The electrospinning process was used to prepare iron oxide fibers, named Fe2O3 fiber. Morphological and structural properties of samples were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) and BET/BJH analysis. It was found that the α-Fe2O3 phase (hematite) has shown the compaction of the structure at 700°C, i.e. lower textural properties. Hematite particles and fibers are used for bisphenol A (BPA) removal by photocatalytic decomposition and the enhanced catalytic performance was found with the use of Fe2O3 400°C particles. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR34011]