Synthesis of Urchin‐Like FeF 2 Nanoarchitectures and Their Conversion into Three‐Dimensional Urchin‐Like Mesoporous α‐Fe 2 O 3 Nanoarchitectures for Methane Activation

Novel urchin‐like FeF 2 nanoarchitectures have been fabricated by an unconventional nonhomogeneous ionic liquid/diphenyl ether solvothermal method. Subsequent solid‐state thermal annealing was utilized to convert the FeF 2 nanoarchitectures into 3D urchin‐like mesoporous α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanoarchitectures. The reaction system and temperature played important roles in the morphology of FeF 2 and the growth of the 3D urchin‐like α‐Fe 2 O 3 . A study of methane activation over the 3D urchin‐like mesoporous α‐Fe 2 O 3 nanoarchitectures revealed that methane was activated and converted into carbon dioxide at a low temperature (230 °C). Compounds containing C–C bonds were produced at 600 °C. This 3D urchin‐like mesoporous α‐Fe 2 O 3 shows excellent potential as a catalyst for methane conversion in the chemical industry.