Ab Initio Studies on Hematite Surface and the Adsorption of Phosphate

This investigation explores the ab initio DFT method for understanding surface structure of hematite and the nature and energetics of phosphate adsorption. Using the full potential linearized plane wave method (FP-LAPW), we derived the structure and energies of various magnetic forms of hematite. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) form was observed to be the most stable. Hematite surfaces with Fe-termination, O-termination, or OH-termination were studied. The OH-terminated surface was the most stable. Stability of hematite surfaces follows the order OH-termination > Fe-termination > O-termination. Thus, surface reaction with hematite would occur with the OH at the surface and not with Fe atoms. The structure of phosphate adsorbed on hematite was derived. Bonding is through the H atom of the OH at the surface. An alternative mechanism of phosphate adsorption on hematite has been derived. Adsorption energy is high and suggests chemisorption rather than physisorption of phosphate on hematite.