Novel three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Fe3+-doped TiO2 photocatalysts for H2 production and degradation applications

Novel three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Fe3+-doped TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared using a colloidal crystal template method with low-cost raw material including ferric trichloride, isopropanol, tetrabutyl titanate and polymethyl methacrylate. The as-prepared 3DOM Fe3+-doped TiO2 photocatalysts were characterized by various analytical techniques. TEM and SEM results showed that the obtained photocatalysts possess well-ordered macroporous structure in three dimensional orientations. As proved by XPS and EDX analysis that Fe3+ ions have been introduced TiO2 lattice and the doped Fe3+ ions can act as the electron acceptor/ donor centers to significantly enhance the electron transfer from the bulk to surface of TiO2, resulting in more electrons could take part in the oxygen reduction process thereby decreasing the recombination rate of photogenerated charges. Meanwhile, the 3DOM architecture with the feature of interfacial chemical reaction active sites and optical absorption active sites is remarkably favorable for the reactant transfer and light trapping in the photoreaction process. As a result, the 3DOM Fe3+-doped TiO2 photocatalysts show the considerably higher photocatalytic activity for decomposition of the Rhodamine B (RhB) and the generation of hydrogen under visible light irradiation due to the synergistic effects of open, interconnected macroporous network and metal ion doping. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.