Facile Ionic Liquid Combustion Synthesis and Visible-light Photocatalytic Ability of Mesoporous FeAl2O4 with High Specific Surface Area

A facile synthesis route of pure FeAl2O4 via self-combustion of ionic liquid is developed using (C2H5)2NH·HCl and urea as cofuels. (C2H5)2NH·HCl not only is the source of cation in ionic liquid but also serves as fuel. The products possess pure hercynite phase, mesoporous structure, and large specific surface areas (89–185 m2 g−1). The visible-light photocatalytic activity of FeAl2O4 is also reported for the first time.