Synthesis and Characterization of Bifunctional α-Fe2O3-Ag Nanoparticles

• Main Authors: Alvaro Ruíz-Baltazar, Simón Yobanny Reyes-López, Rodrigo Esparza, Miriam Estévez, Ángel Hernández-Martínez, Gerardo Rosas, Ramiro Pérez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2015-01-01
• Series: Advances in Condensed Matter Physics
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/320873

The synthesis of α-Fe2O3-Ag bimetallic nanoparticles using a novel and simplified route is presented in this work. These hybrid nanoparticles were produced using a modification of the chemical reduction method by sodium borohydride (NaBH4). Fe(III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) as precursors were employed. Particles with semispherical morphology and dumbbell configuration were observed. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) technique reveals the structure of the dumbbell-like α-Fe2O3-Ag nanoparticles. Some theoretical models further confirm the formation of the α-Fe2O3-Ag structures. Analysis by cyclic voltammetry reveals an interesting catalytic behavior which is associated with the combination of the individual properties of the Ag and α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.