Photocatalytic activity of metal ion (Fe or W) doped titania

Iron or tungsten-doped nano TiO2 were successfully synthesized from TiCl4. All of the samples showed anatase phase of TiO2. For the iron-doped TiO2, Iron ion was well dispersed in the TiO2 lattice. However, tungsten-doped TiO2 formed 12-tungstate with anatase TiO2. As the concentration of tungsten increased, 12-tungstate disappeared. The photocatalytic oxidation of acetaldehyde was evaluated to examine the photocatalytic characteristics of metal-doped TiO2. Because of the surface containing metal oxide or metal precursors at high concentration metal ion, increasing the concentration of W or Fe ion decreased the reactivity. The reaction rate was drastically increased after 300 degreesC heat treatment. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of iron- or tungsten-doped TiO2 was higher than that of synthesized pure TiO2 and commercial TiO2.