Synthesis and characterization of Fe2O3/TiO2 nanoparticles thin films for photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants

Fe2O3/TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel method using metal alkoxide and Fe (III) acetylacetonate as organic precursors and Fe2O3/TiO2 thin films were prepared by dip-coating method on glass substrates. The morphological, microstructural and size characterizations of iron-titanium mixed oxides nanoparticles calcined at 500ºC and sintered films were investigated using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Optical characterization by UV–vis spectrophotometer showed a shift in optical absorption wavelength to visible region may be due to the incorporation of iron oxide nanoparticles into titania structure. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and Fe2O3/TiO2 nanoparticles thin films were tested in UV and visible light using methyl orange as model pollutant. A preliminary investigation of photocatalytic activity of mixed oxides on methyl orange photo-oxidation showed that Fe2O3/TiO2 is more photoactive than pure TiO2.

کلیدواژه ها:

Fe2O3/TiO2 ، Nanoparticles ، Sol–gel ، Photocatalytic ، Thin film