Effect of surface functional group chemistry on the interface-directed growth of Fe₂O₃ nanorods on modified activated carbons
Surfaces and Interfaces, vol.84, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 84
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.surfin.2026.108603
- Journal Name: Surfaces and Interfaces
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Keywords: Fe₂O₃ nanorods, Heterogeneous nucleation, Nanostructure growth, Surface functionalization, TEPA modification
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Iron oxide nanorods are promising materials for catalytic and environmental applications. However, the role of carbon-support surface chemistry in interface-directed nucleation and growth remains incompletely understood. In this study, Fe₂O₃ was deposited onto activated carbon that had been (i) enriched with oxygen through HNO₃ treatment and (ii) modified with tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) under various conditions. To investigate these effects, we employed several techniques, including nitrogen sorption (BET), FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM/EDS with elemental mapping, Boehm titration, and XRD. Our findings reveal that surface functional groups influence nucleation density, crystallite size, and anisotropy of the nanorods. Oxygenated carbons facilitate electrostatic adsorption, leading to the formation of partially elongated Fe₂O₃ domains. In contrast, TEPA-rich surfaces provide coordination sites for Fe-N that suppress radial growth and promote one-dimensional extension, promoting the formation of uniform nanorods with high aspect ratios. These results establish a clear link between support surface chemistry and Fe₂O₃ morphology, providing practical guidelines for engineering FeₓOᵧ/Carbon composites with tailored crystallinity and dispersion for catalytic applications.