Visible light induced self‐cleaning performance of iron‐doped TiO₂ nanoparticles for surface applications

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance the visible light photosensitivity of TiO2 nanoparticles for self‐cleaning applications by doping with Fe3+. Nanocrystalline undoped and Fe‐doped TiO2 (Ti1 − xFexO2, x = .01–.04) were synthesized via sol–gel method. The results demonstrated that Fe‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited visible light sensitivity and self‐cleaning properties. An increased Fe concentration resulted in a red shift in the absorption band edge. Fe0.03‐doped TiO2 with an average particle size of ∼21 nm, a crystallite size of ∼12 nm, and a band gap of ∼2.86 eV showed the highest photocatalytic activity (60% methylene blue degradation) and super‐hydrophilicity (water droplet contact angle 9°) under visible light radiation. These findings highlight the potential of Fe‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles as a promising material for self‐cleaning applications.

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Doped with Iron for Water Treatment via Photocatalysis: A Review

“…Their great advantage is that they can harness solar radiation. For photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (titania, TiO 2 ), the most exhaustive scrutiny has been carried out [13][14][15] due to its cost-effectiveness [16], stability [17,18], widespread availability, and heightened activity [9,19]. A modification is essential to enhance its photochemical and adsorptive performances, especially to be active under visible light [13,20].…”