Facile fabrication of Fe-TiO2 thin film and its photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Fe3+-TiO2 (Fe-TiO2) thin films were successfully prepared using a “sandwich” approach. TiO2 NPs were doped with different Fe3+ content (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% molar ratio), and the modified TiO2 NPs were deposited on glass flat support by dip coating.Structural, morphological, optical, and photocatalytic properties of Fe-TiO2 thin films were studied. XPS spectra confirm the presence of Ti, Fe, O, and defective –OH groups at the material surface. The Fe 2p spectrum demonstrates the existence of Fe3+. SEM images indicate that the incorporation of Fe3+ deforms in some degree the homogeneity of the TiO2 system. Additionally, incorporation of Fe3+ ions to the network creates an impurity band near the VB due to the oxygen vacancies, resulting in the reduction of the effective optical band gap. Photocatalytic activity of fabricated thin films in the elimination of sulfamethoxazole (SMT) follows pseudo first-order kinetics. The highest SMT removal yields were achieved using the sample with 0.05%Fe. Additionally, the use of greater thicknesses improves the removal performance. However, material detachment limits the maximum usable value around 6 µm.Finally, stability and reusability of catalysts were confirmed studying the photocatalytic activity over three cycles and evaluating that no Fe3+ leaching occurred. Graphical abstract

Fe3O4-TiO2 Thin Films in Solar Photocatalytic Processes

“…Photocatalyst coatings on flat glass supports were prepared according to a multilayer approach proposed in previous works by scientists of our research group [ 4 , 21 ]. According to the methodology, the structure of the photocatalyzer responds to a “sandwich” approach consisting of two very thin anatase films (~50 nm), obtained by sol gel [ 35 ], delimiting a thicker layer obtained from a suspension of TiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles.…”

“…Experiments were carried out using a custom-made photocatalytic system, consisting of a magnetic-stirred reactor exposed to sunlight, equipped with a recirculating peristaltic pump (Selecta Percom N-M) and coupled to an Avantes fiber optic UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer (Ocean Optics DT-Mini-2GS light source) that allows continuous monitoring [ 4 ].…”

“…Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) has been considered as the most widely used semiconductor oxide photocatalyst due to its attractive attributes, such as low cost, corrosion resistance, excellent chemical stability, non-toxicity and high photocatalytic activity [ 2 ]. However, the use of TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) in solar photocatalysis for environmental remediation has some technical limitations, such as the high band gap of TiO 2 (~3.2 eV) [ 3 , 4 ], close to UV spectral range. For this reason, this photocatalyst is triggered by near UV radiation.…”

“…Furthermore, the photocatalytic efficiency is evaluated by studying the degradation of an antibiotic, sulfamethoxazole (SFX), in the presence of these films. SFX is a sulphonamide antibiotic, which is one of the common pollutants in surface water [ 4 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Construction of Highly Condensed Cu₂O/CuO Composites on Cu Sheet and Its Photocatalytic in Photodegradation of Hazardous Colouring Agent Rose Bengal

“…Thus, photocatalyst based thin film will provide a feasible option for water and wastewater treatment applications. [16][17][18] They will improve the recovery efficiency of photocatalysts after water treatment while avoiding their consequent dispersion in water. Obviously, they will lessen the technical and financial burdens but have been rarely reported in the previous publications.…”