Preparation and characterization of hollow α-Fe2O3 irregular microspheres

Hollow α-Fe2O3 irregular microspheres were prepared at 160 °C from a hydrolyzing Fe(ClO4)3 solution by adding sodium polyanethol sulphonate. The particles were characterized by 57Fe Mössbauer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The walls of these hollow particles consisted of elongated subunits composed of elongated and thin α-Fe2O3 rods. The precipitation of hollow α-Fe2O3 irregular microspheres was governed by the preferential adsorption of sulphonate/sulphate groups. The lateral aggregation of elongated thin rods and subunits also played an important role in the formation of hollow α-Fe2O3 irregular microspheres.