Construction Materials (Mar 2024)

Synthesis and Characterization of Iron-Doped TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanotubes (Fe/TiNTs) with Photocatalytic Activity

  • S. Mohd. Yonos Qattali,
  • Jamal Nasir,
  • Christian Pritzel,
  • Torsten Kowald,
  • Yilmaz Sakalli,
  • S. M. Fuad Kabir Moni,
  • Jörn Schmedt auf der Günne,
  • Claudia Wickleder,
  • Reinhard H. F. Trettin,
  • Manuela S. Killian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater4020017
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 2
pp. 315 – 328

Abstract

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One of the most significant global challenges for humans is environmental pollution. The technology to control this problem is the utilization of semiconductors as photocatalysts. In the current study, iron-doped titania nanotubes (Fe/TiNTs) with increased photocatalytic effect were synthesized via a modified hydrothermal method. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), gas adsorption, electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). TEM results indicated that Fe/TiNTs have a tubular and uniform structure with an average outer diameter of 23–48 nm and length of 10–15 µm. ESR and DRS revealed that Fe3+ ions were successfully introduced into the TiNT structure by replacing Ti4+ ions. An enhanced light absorption in the range of 400–600 nm additionally indicated successful doping. The band gap was narrowed as iron wt% was increased. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in the presence of Fe/TiNTs and TiTNs by monitoring the degradation of MO under UV light irradiation. An acceleration on the hydration of Portland cement was observed in the presence of 2.0 wt% Fe/TiNTs. Fe/TiNTs can be used as a nanomaterial in cement-based building materials to provide self-cleaning properties to the surface of concrete even in indoor environments.

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