The aim of this work was to synthesize semiconducting oxide nanoparticles using a simple method with low production cost to be applied in natural sunlight for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in waste water. Iron titanate (Fe 2 TiO 5 ) nanoparticles with an orthorhombic structure were successfully synthesized using a modified sol–gel method and calcination at 750°C. The as-prepared Fe 2 TiO 5 nanoparticles exhibited a moderate specific surface area. The mesoporous Fe 2 TiO 5 nanoparticles possessed strong absorption in the visible-light region and the band gap was estimated to be around 2.16 eV. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under natural sunlight. The effect of parameters such as the amount of catalyst, initial concentration of the dye and pH of the dye solution on the removal efficiency of methylene blue was investigated. Fe 2 TiO 5 showed high degradation efficiency in a strong alkaline medium that can be the result of the facilitated formation of OH radicals due to an increased concentration of hydroxyl ions.

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Zinc ferrite nanocrystalline powder was obtained by solid state synthesis of starting zinc oxide and hematite nanopowders. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of nanocrystalline zinc‐ferrite powder with a mixed spinel structure with small amounts of remaining zinc oxide and hematite as impurities. Thick film paste was formed and screen printed on test interdigitated PdAg electrodes on alumina substrate. Formation of a porous nanocrystalline structure was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and Hg porosimetry. Humidity sensing properties of zinc ferrite thick films were investigated by monitoring the change in impedance in the relative humidity interval 30%‐90% in the frequency range 42 Hz‐1 MHz at room temperature (25°C) and 50°C. At 42 Hz at both analyzed temperatures the impedance reduced ~46 times in the humidity range 30%‐90%. The dominant influence of grain boundaries was confirmed by analysis of complex impedance with an equivalent circuit.

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