LAUSR

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) particles with varying morphology (rods, spherical, and cubical shapes) were synthesized using sol–gel procedure by modulating the conditions of synthesis like concentration of shape controller additives, time and temperature. Synthesized particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The activity of hematite particles was evaluated in terms of solar induced photo-Fenton degradation of ornidazole. Complete removal (98%) of ornidazole was achieved with cubical hematite under the optimum operating conditions viz. 10 mM H2O2, 0.13 g/L α-Fe2O3 at pH 3 within 3 h of solar irradiations; however, 51% degradation occurred under similar conditions with UV irradiations. The highest concentration of leached iron in the aqueous solution confirms cubical hematite to be the most photoactive form among the various synthesized hematite particles. HPLC study of solar induced photo-Fenton treatment showed significant reduction in the peak area (R.T. of 5.2 min) with time. Further, TOC study revealed 59% mineralization of 50 mg/L ornidazole solution after 3 h of solar treatment.Graphical abstract