Preparation and photocatalytic activity of Fe3+-doped and silver-loaded titania photocatalyst

Fe3+-doped and Ag-loaded TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using acid-catalyzed sol-gel and photodeposition methods. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, XRD, XPS and UV-vis techniques. The results showed that the average diameter of nanoparticles was 10-15 nm. Fe3+ doping could promote the phase transformation of TiO2 from anatase to rutile. The absorption of TiO2 nanoparticles with Fe3+ doped and Ag loaded to light was red-shifted and the absorption intensities increased evidently. The oxidation state of the silver loaded on the TiO2 was AgO from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UV light was used as light source to investigate the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst for the degradation of methyl orange. The results showed that Fe3+-doped and Ag-loaded TiO2 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared with pure TiO2, Fe3+-doped TiO2 as well as Ag-loaded TiO2, and the optimal amount of doped Fe3+ and loaded Ag was 0.4% and 1% (mole fraction) respectively.