Physicochemical and Photocatalytic Properties of Feᶧ³-doped TiO₂ Nanotubes Fabricated Via Hydrothermal Process

Abstract

Iron(III)-doped TiO₂ nanotubes were prepared by an impregnating-calcination method using the hydrothermally prepared titania nanotubes as precursors and FE (NO₃)₃ as dopant. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope, x-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under visible-light irradiation. Surface structure analysis showed that the nanotube morphology was created at hydrothermal treatments of 120⁰C. The nanotube structure was preserved even after the doping-calcination step. X-ray diffractogram confirmed the presence of anatase and rutile in the processed titania. Surface area of the samples was observed to increase with increasing concentration of dopant. The 1.0%Feᶧ³-doped sample exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The high photocatalytic property of the Feᶧ³-doped TiO₂ powders could be attributed to the combined effects of Fe-doping, large specific surface area and small crystallite size.