Abstract:
The commercial red iron oxide (Fe2O3) and hydrated yellow iron oxide (Fe2O3.xH2O) powders were
characterised for catalytic and magnetic properties for water electrolysis. The structural and morphological
properties were determined by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron
Microscopy. The mixed phase of alpha and gama iron particles is found in the yellow iron oxide. The X-ray
fluorescence and EDAX revealed the elemental composition of the iron oxide samples. The optical
characterisations were performed by Photo Luminescence (PL), UV-absorbance and reflectance by Diffuse
Reflectance Spectroscopy. The temperature dependant magnetic properties were studied by Variable
Sample Magnetometry (VSM), which revealed only red iron oxide exhibits ferromagnetic properties.
Electrocatalytic properties of red and yellow iron oxide were characterized by various techniques such as
CV, Linear Sweep Voltametry (LSV) and impedance spectroscopy. Thermo gravimetric analysis revealed 7 %
weight loss for yellow iron oxide. The as-received iron oxide samples were annealed at 600 oC and similar
characterizations were performed. The electrocatalytic behaviour in terms of polarization in iron oxide will
be presented in detail
