XRD, TEM and thermal analysis of Fe doped boehmite nanofibres and nanosheets

Iron doped boehmite nanofibres with varying iron content have been prepared at low temperatures using a hydrothermal treatment in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide) surfactant. The resultant nanofibres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM images showed the resulting nanostructures are predominantly nanofibres when Fe doping is no more than 5%; in contrast nanosheets were formed if Fe doping was above 5%. For the 10% Fe doped boehmite, a mixed morphology of nanofibres and nanosheets were obtained. Nanotubes instead of nanofibres were observed in samples with 20% added iron. The Fe doped boehmite and the subsequent nanofibres/nanotubes were analysed by thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric methods. Boehmite nanofibres decompose at higher temperatures than non-hydrothermally treated boehmite and nano-sheets decompose at lower temperatures than the nanofibres.