Metal ion-mediated structure and properties of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

To assess the relationship between metal ion-mediated microstructures and the macro-performance, Cu- and Zn-doped α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were prepared via a solvothermal method. The morphologies of the as-synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the sizes and morphologies could be regulated by doping with divalent cations. The structures of the as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, indicating that Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ ions had diffused into the lattice of α-Fe 2 O 3 matrix. The magnetization behaviors of these nanoparticles were measured to analyze the effect of doping on α-Fe 2 O 3 . Furthermore, the catalytic activities of Cu- and Zn-doped α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles demonstrated that the high-temperature decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate could be lowered by 115 °C and 107 °C, respectively, compared to that of ammonium perchlorate without catalyst. The enhanced catalytic activity could be attributed to the defect structure induced by doping with divalent cations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]