Abstract

Nanoflower structured alpha-Fe2O3 was synthesized by adding hexamine to an aqueous solution of ferrous sulphate followed by drying and annealing at 600 A degrees C for 6 h. X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, Raman and DRS UV-visible absorption spectroscopy showed the formation of alpha-Fe2O3 with good crystalline nature. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy investigation revealed that the alpha-Fe2O3 has flower-like morphology, which is composed of nanorods. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to investigate their electrochemical sensing property towards uric acid (UA). alpha-Fe2O3 exhibited enhanced sensing behavior with respect to that of bare GCE. Additionally, the alpha-Fe2O3 nanoflowers exhibit better photocatalytic activity of up to 71.7 % against rhodamine B (RhB) in short time of 60 min under visible light irradiation. It is found that the smaller crystallite size and flower-like morphology play a vital role in allowing an interaction between alpha-Fe2O3 and UA or RhB dye which enhances both the electrochemical sensing and photocatalytic activity.