Exploring the impact of calcination parameters on the crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of electrospun Fe2TiO5 nanofibers

Abstract

Nanostructured Fe2TiO5 (pseudobrookite), a mixed metal oxide material holds significant promise for utilization in energy and environmental applications. However, its full application is still hindered due to the difficulty to synthesize monophasic Fe2TiO5 with high crystallinity and a large specific surface area. Herein, Fe2TiO5 nanofibers were synthesized via a versatile and low-cost electrospinning method, followed by a calcination process at different temperatures. We found a significant effect of the calcination process and its duration on the crystalline phase in the form of either pseudobrookite or pseudobrookite-hematite-rutile and the morphology of calcined nanofibers. The crystallite size increased whereas the specific surface area decreased with an increase in calcination temperature. At higher temperatures, the growth of Fe2TiO5 nanoparticles and simultaneous coalescence of small particles was noted. The highest specific surface area was obtained for the sample calcined at 500 °C for 6 h (S BET = 64.4 m2 g-1). This work opens new opportunities in the synthesis of Fe2TiO5 nanostructures using the electrospinning method and a subsequent optimized calcination process for energy-related applications.