Insights for size-dependent reactivity of hematite nanomineral surfaces through Cu2+ sorption

Macroscopic sorption edges for Cu2+ were measured on hematite nanoparticles with average diameters of 7 nm, 25 nm, and 88 nm in 0.1 M NaNO3. The pH edges for the 7 nm hematite were shifted approximately 0.6 pH units lower than that for the 25 nm and 88 nm samples, demonstrating an affinity sequence of 7 nm > 25 nm = 88 nm. Although, zeta potential data suggest increased proton accumulation at the 7 nm hematite surfaces, changes in surface structure are most likely responsible for the preference of Cu2+ for the smallest particles. As Cu2+ preferentially binds to sites which accommodate the Jahn–Teller distortion of its coordination to oxygen, this indicates the relative importance of distorted binding environments on the 7 nm hematite relative to the 25 nm and 88 nm particles. This work highlights the uniqueness of surface reactivity for crystalline iron oxide particles with decreasing nanoparticle diameter.