A Facile Synthesis of Hematite Nanorods from Rice Starch and Their Application to Pb(II) Ions Removal

1D hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanorods were synthesized in the presence of rice starch solution. The size of the nanorods was about 250 nm and 50 nm in length and diameter, respectively. The synthesized nanorods possessed a single alpha-Fe2O3 phase without any impurities and crystal defects. The obtained hematite nanorods were employed as an adsorbent for lead (II) removal. The isotherms and kinetic studies indicated that our material would be a potential candidate for heavy metal adsorption and removal.