Preparation of Nano Spherical α-Fe2O3 Supported on 12-Tungstosilicic Acid Using Two Different Methods: A Novel Catalyst

In this research, spherical α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were supported on the surface of 12-tungstosilicic acid (12-TSA.7H2O) as a catalyst support, using two different Forced Hydrolysis and Reflux Condensation (FHRC) and Solid-State Dispersion (SSD) methods. α-Fe2O3 and 12-TSA.7H2O were synthesized due to previous reports. All products were characterized by using FT-IR, SEM, EDX, elemental map, XRD and BET surface area. The results indicated that the supported catalyst (α-Fe2O3/12-TSA.7H2O) successfully was prepared and no change was found on the chemical structures of 12-TSA.7H2O and α-Fe2O3. By using XRD analysis average sizes of spherical α-Fe2O3 NPs supported by SSD and FHRC methods were measured 50.5 and 70.82 nm, respectively. The catalyst presented in this study can be applied in the different areas such as nano photocatalytic reactions.