α‐Fe2O3 Cubes with High Visible‐Light‐Activated Photoelectrochemical Activity towards Glucose: Hydrothermal Synthesis Assisted by a Hydrophobic Ionic Liquid

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.