Synthesis and characterization of fe doped Tio 2 nanoparticles by a sol-gel and hydrothermal process

Abstract

Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles were prepared under high temperature and pressure conditions by mixture of metal nitrate solution and TiO 2 sol. Fe doped TiO 2 particles were reacted in the temperature range of 170 to 200 oC for 6 h. The microstructure and phase of the synthesized Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles were studied by SEM (FE-SEM), TEM, and XRD. Thermal properties of the synthesized Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles were studied by TG-DTA analysis. TEM and X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the synthesized Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles were crystalline. The average size and distribution of the synthesized Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles were about 10 nm and narrow, respectively. The average size of the synthesized Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles increased as the reaction temperature increased. The overall reduction in weight of Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles was about 16% up to ~700°C; water of crystallization was dehydrated at 271 oC. The transition of Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticle phase from anatase to rutile occurred at almost 561 oC. The amount of rutile phase of the synthesized Fe doped TiO 2 nanoparticles increased with decreasing Fe concentration. The effects of synthesis parameters, such as the concentration of the starting solution and the reaction temperature, are discussed.