Study of Microwave-Irradiated Fe2O3 with Activated Charcoal for Superior Electrochemical Performance

This study presents the synthesis and modification of Fe2O3 nanoparticles using a simple co-precipitation method, followed by microwave irradiation and incorporation with activated charcoal to enhance their structural, optical, and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the rhombohedral phase of hematite (α-Fe2O3) and revealed enhanced lattice strain upon microwave irradiation improving active site density. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed a significant bandgap reduction from 2.5 eV (pure Fe2O3) to 1.6 eV (microwave-irradiated Fe2O3 with activated charcoal) indicating superior light absorption. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated improved redox activity and specific capacitance, with microwave-irradiated Fe2O3 with activated charcoal achieving the highest performance due to enhanced conductivity and porosity. These results highlight the synergistic effects of microwave irradiation and activated charcoal making the modified Fe2O3 a promising candidate for applications in catalysis, energy storage, and optoelectronics.