Morphology control of Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals and their application in catalysis

We synthesized four iron oxide catalysts with different morphologies and tested their activities in CO disproportionation. The four iron oxides were mesoporous oxide, two different sized iron oxide nano spheres and silica supported iron oxide. Hypothetical equivalent average particle size (EAPS), which was calculated from the surface area and unit cell parameter of the particles, was used to evaluate the catalytic activities of the iron oxides. A size effect (EAPS effect) was observed in these iron oxides. The CO disproportionation test results showed that silica supported iron oxide was the most active due to it having the smallest EAPS.