Water bath synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic performances of urchin-like micro/nanostructured α-FeOOH

Micro/nanostructured goethite (alpha-FeOOH) was synthesized by a low-temperature water bath method based on the reaction of urea and FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O at 95 degrees C. It has been shown that the as-prepared alpha-FeOOH consists of nearly spherical particles with about 0.5-1 mu m in diameter. The microsized alpha-FeOOH particles are urchin-like in morphology and composed of nanosized leaf-like objects, with about 150-200 nm in length and about 30-50 nm in width, in radial arrangement, showing high specific surface area (similar to 118 m(2)/g). The formation of such urchin-like alpha-FeOOH could be described by a two-step process, or formation of spherical particles, and ethylene glycol-adsorption induced preferential growth of nanoleaves on the preformed spherical particles. Importantly, such micro/nanostructured alpha-FeOOH has exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity to the organic pollutants, such as Rhodamine 6G, and better re-usable performances than the goethite nanorod powders, exhibiting the good application potential in the environmental treatment. This study could provide a useful material for environmental pollution treatment.