Study of structural and optical properties of Fe(III)-doped TiO2 prepared by sol-gel method

Abstract

This study investigated the structural and optical properties of Iron(III)-doped titanium dioxide (Fe-TiO2) powders which were synthesized by sol-gel method with a post-annealing temperature at 500°C. Iron(III)-doped titanium dioxide was prepared from Titanium (IV) Isopropoxide and Iron (III) Chloride (FeCl3). Iron (III) Chloride was added in different concentration (5, 7.5 and 10 % w/w). The synthesis powders were characterized by FTIR, Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Field Effect Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and BET. FESEM analysis showed the morphology of 10 % (w/w) Fe doped TiO2 were homogeneous with the presence of less aggregate of iron. Meanwhile, The surface area of the sample TiO2-Fe 7.5% calculated from the BET adsorption plot is 107.096 m2/g. This surface area is higher than the sample TiO2-Fe 10% is 95,241 m2. It is confirmed that iron insert to the pore of TiO2. DRS Analysis revealed the light absorption in the visible region was increased with increasing the iron concentration up to 10% (w/w).