Fabrication of one-dimensional mesoporous α-Fe2O3 nanostructure via self-sacrificial template and its enhanced Cr(VI) adsorption capacity

► The growth mechanism of α-FeC2O4 micro/nanorods was investigated in detail. ► The mesoporous α-Fe2O3 micro/nanorods were prepared through α-FeC2O4 template. ► Mesoporous α-Fe2O3 micro/nanorods displayed excellent adsorption property for Cr(VI). ► The adsorption data for Cr(VI) fit well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherms. ► The adsorption process can be explained by the pseudo-second order kinetic model.