A practical method for incorporation of Fe (III) in Titania matrix for photocatalytic applications

Abstract

The unprecedented catalytic role of Iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate (Fe (NO _3 ) _3 ·9H _2 O) has been explored in a top-down technique for the synthesis and Iron (III) doping of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO _2 -NPs). In the experimental procedure, the chosen 1:1 ratio of Fe (NO _3 ) _3 ·9H _2 O and TiO _2 bulk powder is allowed to work hydrothermally in top-down synthesis and Fe-doping of (TiO _2 ) nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) shows the particle structure or morphology of the Fe-doped TiO _2 -NPs. Raman and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to study the composition and iron-content at the surface of the synthesized nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern has several peaks for α -Fe _2 O _3 corresponds to Iron doping in the synthesized nanoparticles of (TiO _2 ). The current technique provides a practical method for maximum yield and high quality of Fe-doped TiO _2 nanoparticles for its potential photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications in modern technologies.

Keywords

• synthesis
• nanoparticles
• iron-doping
• catalysts