Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange on arrayed porous iron-doped anatase TiO2

Arrayed porous iron-doped TiO2 was prepared by sol-gel with polystyrene spheres as template and used as photocatalyst for the degradation of methyl orange. The structure and performances of the prepared photocatalyst were characterized with X-ray diffractometer, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, UV-visible spectrometer, and methyl orange degradation tests. It is found that the iron dopant does not change the crystal phase of TiO2 but affects its lattice constant, optical absorption, electronic conductivity, charge-transfer resistance, and activity toward the degradation of methyl orange. The sample doped with 0.01 wt.% Fe (based on Ti) and with smaller pore size exhibits the better photocatalytic activity. The degradation rate of methyl orange on the sample with a pore size of 190 nm is 2.3 times that on the undoped sample with the same pore size.