Synthesis of a magnetic micro/nano FexOy-CeO2 composite and its application for degradation of hexachlorobenzene

A micrometer-sized nanostructured, magnetic, ball-like FexOy-CeO2 composite was synthesized through an ethylene-glycol mediated process. The synthesized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-disperse X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. In the synthesis system, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and urea were found to play significant roles in the formation of the micrometer-sized spherical architecture of the precursor. The details of morphology and particle size could be changed with the initial concentration of Fe(NO3)(3)center dot 9H(2)O and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O as the reactants. The magnetic FexOy-CeO2 composite with a similar morphology was readily obtained by calcination from the precursor. The characterization of transmission electron microscopy showed the calcined ball-like architecture was a highly porous structure consisting of many nanoparticles. Because of the micrometer-sized nanostructure and the multi-components as well as the magnetism, the as-obtained FexOy-CeO2 composite showed better activity and potentially easy recovery for the harmless degradation of hexachlorobenzene (HCB).