Green synthesis of mesoporous hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity

A green synthesis method for the preparation of mesoporous α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles has been developed using the extract of green tea (camellia sinensis) leaves. This simple and one-step method can suitably be scaled up for large-scale synthesis. The as-prepared mesoporous nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, Raman, UV–visible spectroscopy and N2 adsorption analysis. The nanoparticles were highly pure and well crystallized with an average particle size of 60 nm. The photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles was evaluated by the amount of hydroxyl radical formation under visible light irradiation detected by fluorescence spectroscopy. The as-prepared α-Fe2O3 showed two times higher activity than commercial α-Fe2O3 in term of hydroxyl radical formation and enhanced performance in a photoelectrochemical cell. Also, a plausible mechanism for the formation of mesoporous α-Fe2O3 has been suggested.

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► Green tea mediated one-step synthesis method for mesoporous α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.
► The nanoparticles are highly pure and well crystallized.
► The as-prepared α-Fe2O3 shows two times higher photocatalytic activity than commercial one.
► Also, the as-prepared nanoparticles show enhanced performance in a solar cell.