Evaluation of Photocatalytic Activity in Water Pollutants and Cytotoxic Response of α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles

α-Fe 2 O 3 samples were manufactured by means of the polymeric precursor method. The powders were sintered and calcined at temperatures of 300-700 °C for 2 h, respectively. In the X-ray diffraction results, the formation of the rhombohedral phase without secondary phases was exhibited. The size of the particle increased after calcination at 700 °C, exhibiting a slightly more irregular morphology for the samples calcined with the addition of NH 4 OH in the synthesis process. From the field-emission scanning electron microscopy measurements, the particle size was determined, showing a smaller size for the samples without NH 4 OH in the synthesis process. The samples calcined at 600 °C had a size of 100 nm, with the sizes for lower temperatures being smaller. The size of the nanoparticle agglomerates was largest for the samples with NH 4 OH; however, the zeta potential was slightly lower over time for these samples. The phase study of the α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles was confirmed by means of Raman spectroscopy, without additional bands of another crystal structure. In addition, the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited good photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and atrazine (ATZ) within 40 min, with a maximum degradation of 59% for ATZ and 40% for rhodamine. The best responses in the degradation were for the samples without the addition of NH 4 OH in the synthesis process and in proportions lower than 0.1 g. The cytotoxic effects of the nanoparticles obtained at 600 °C were evaluated in apical cells of onion roots. The results are promising for future applications because no changes were observed in the mitosis of the cells.