Synthesis And Characterization Of Hematite Nanoparticles As Active Photocatalyst For Water Splitting Application

This paper highlights on the hydrogen production through photocatalytic activity by using hematite nanoparticles synthesized from self-combustion method based on different stirring period.The morphologies and microstructures of the nanostructures were determined using Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM),X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Particle Size Analyser (PSA).Besides that,surface area analyser was used to determine the BET surface area of the hematite samples.The hematite nanocatalyst as-synthesized are proven to be rhombohedral crystalline hematite (α-Fe2O3) with particle diameters ranging from 60-140 nm.The BET specific surface area of hematite samples increased from 5.437 to 7.6425 m2/g with increasing stirring period from 1 to 4 weeks.This caused the amount of hydrogen gas produced from photocatalytic water splitting to increase as well