Crystal plane effect of Fe2O3 with various morphologies on CO catalytic oxidation

Hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanocrystals with various morphologies (nanocubes and nanorods with different particle sizes) were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process. The crystal plane effects of different Fe2O3 nanomaterials on the catalytic activity of CO oxidation were investigated. Besides the BET area of catalyst, the predominantly exposed planes have a significant influence on the catalytic activity for CO oxidation. Fe2O3 nanorods with more reactive crystal planes {110}, which have relative higher density of Fe atoms, showed a higher activity than the other samples. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.