α‐Fe2O3 Cubes with High Visible‐Light‐Activated Photoelectrochemical Activity towards Glucose: Hydrothermal Synthesis Assisted by a Hydrophobic Ionic Liquid |
| |
| Authors: | Dr. Li Xu Dr. Jiexiang Xia Prof. Leigang Wang Dr. Jing Qian Prof. Huaming Li Prof. Kun Wang Dr. Kaiyong Sun Prof. Minqiang He |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. School of Material Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (P. R. China);2. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (P. R. China), Fax: (+86)?511‐88791108 |
| |
| Abstract: | A liquid/liquid interfacial reaction system was designed to fabricate α‐Fe2O3 cubes. The reaction system uses a hydrophobic ionic liquid containing iron ions ([(C8H17)2(CH3)2N]FeCl4) for manufacturing α‐Fe2O3 cubes by a novel and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method under low‐temperature conditions (140 °C). The iron‐containing ionic liquid is hydrophobic and can form a liquid/liquid interface with water, which is vital for fabrication of the α‐Fe2O3 cubes. Nanomaterials synthesized from hydrophobic iron‐containing ionic liquids show good crystallinity, well‐developed morphology, and uniform size. The effect of different ionic liquids on the morphology of α‐Fe2O3 was investigated in detail. [(C8H17)2(CH3)2N]FeCl4 is assumed to perform the triple role of forming a liquid/liquid interface with water and acting as reactant and template at the same time. The effect of the reaction temperature on the formation of the α‐Fe2O3 cubes was also studied. Temperatures lower or higher than 140 °C are not conducive to formation of the α‐Fe2O3 cubes. Their photoelectrochemical properties were tested by means of the transient photocurrent response of electrodes modified with as‐prepared α‐Fe2O3 cubes. The photocurrent response of an α‐Fe2O3 cubes/indium tin oxide electrode is high and stable, and it shows great promise as a photoelectrochemical glucose sensor with high sensitivity and fast response, which are beneficial to practical applications of nanosensors. |
| |
| Keywords: | electrochemistry hydrothermal synthesis ionic liquids photochemistry sensors |
|
|
