Title: Catalyst characterisation of Fe-doped-titanium dioxide

Authors: Maria D. Salazar-Villalpando, Anthony Cugini, Adam C. Miller

Addresses: National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Morgantown, WV 26507, USA. ' National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Morgantown, WV 26507, USA. ' Chemical Engineering Department, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26507, USA

Abstract: Fe (5 wt. %) doped TiO₂ was synthesised using a hydrothermal method. This material was characterised by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, BET surface area, X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). The BET surface area was 136 m²/g and crystal sizes of 1.6 microns. SEM results showed crystal structures that were regular and pyramidal in shape. This catalyst only showed anatase phase. This favoured phase could be due to iron ions inserted into the TiO₂ lattice and forming Ti-O-Fe bonds. It was found that doping TiO₂ with 5 wt. % Fe caused a red shift in the absorption of the material to the visible light range and there was an increased absorption in the ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, in the 450-590 nm range. These characteristics are very favourable for the use of |free| visible light in order to activate the Fe (5 wt. %) doped TiO₂ photocatalyst. [Received: September 4, 2009; Accepted: November 30, 2009]

Keywords: iron doped TiO2; titanium dioxide; X-Ray diffraction; XRD; Raman spectroscopy; scanning electron microscope imaging; SEM; BET surface area; X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy; XPS; ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; UV-vis DRS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2010.032475

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2010 Vol.3 No.1, pp.75 - 87

Published online: 03 Apr 2010 *

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