Photocatalytic performance of nano-photocatalyst from TiO2 and Fe2O3 by mechanochemical synthesis

Nano-particles of homogeneous solid solution between TiO2 and Fe2O3 (up to 10 mol%) have been prepared by mechanochemical milling of TiO2 and yellow Fe2O3/red Fe2O3/precipitated Fe (OH)(3) using a planetary ball mill. Such novel solid solution cannot be prepared by conventional co-precipitation technique. A preliminary investigation of photocatalytic activity of mixed oxide (TiO2/Fe2O3) on photooxidation of different organic dyes like Rhodamine B (RB), Methyl orange (MO), Thymol blue (TB) and Bromocresol green (BG) under visible light (300-W Xe lamp; lambda > 420 nm) showed that TiO2 having 5 mol% of Fe2O3 (YFT1) is 3-5 times higher photoactive than that of P25 TiO2. The XRD result did not show the peaks assigned to the Fe components (for example Fe2O3, Fe3O4, FeO3, and Fe metal) on the external surface of the anatase structure in the Fe2O3/TiO2 attained through mechanochemical treatment. This meant that Fe components were well incorporated into the TiO2 anatase structure. The average crystallite size and particle size of YFT1 were found to be 12 nm and 30 +/- 5 nm respectively measured from XRD and TEM conforming to nanodimensions. Together with the Fe component, they absorbed wavelength of above 387 nm. The band slightly shifted to the right without tail broadness, which was the UV absorption of Fe oxide in the Fe2O3/TiO2 particle attained through mechanochemical method. This meant that Fe components were well inserted into the framework of the TiO2 anatase structure. EPR and magnetic susceptibility show that Fe3+ is in low spin state corresponding to mu(B) = 1.8 BM. The temperature variation of mu(B) shows that Fe3+ is well separated from each other and does not have any antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic interaction. The evidence of Fe3+ in TiO2/Fe2O3 alloy is also proved by a new method that is redox titration which is again support by the XPS spectrum. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.