Iron-Containing Titania Photocatalyst Prepared by the Sonophotodeposition Method for the Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

The sonophotodeposition method was applied in the synthesis of an iron-containing titania photocatalyst. This procedure enables the use of sustainable energy sources, such as sonication and light, and eliminates the use of hazardous reducing agents. For the first time an ultrasonic horn and sun-imitating Xenon lamp were used in this method. The following techniques: diffuse reflectance UV/Vis spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (HRTEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) were applied for the characterization of the prepared material. The photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde under sun-imitating Xenon lamp irradiation was applied as a test reaction. The photocatalyst prepared by the sonophotodeposition method showed better results, in terms of alcohol conversion and yield of benzaldehyde, in comparison with the photocatalyst prepared by an ordinary wet-impregnation method.