Investigation of photocatalytic degradation of phenol by Fe(III)-doped TiO(2) and TiO(2) nanoparticles

In this study Fe (III)-doped TiO(2) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel method at two atomic ratio of Fe/Ti, 0.006 and 0.034 percent. Then the photoactivity of them was investigated on degradation of phenol under UV (<380 nm) irradiation and visible light (>380 nm). Results showed that at appropriate atomic ratio of Fe to Ti (% 0.034) photoactivity of Fe(III)–doped TiO(2) nanoparticles increased. In addition, the effects of various operational parameters on photocatalytic degradation, such as pH, initial concentration of phenol and amount of photocatalyst were examined and optimized. At all different initial concentration, highest degradation efficiency occurred at pH = 3 and 0.5 g/L Fe(III)–doped TiO(2) dosage. With increase in initial concentration of phenol, photocatalytic degradation efficiency decreased. Photoactivity of Fe (III)-doped TiO(2) under UV irradiation and visible light at optimal condition (pH = 3 and catalyst dosage = and 0.5 g/L) was compared with P25 TiO(2) nanoparticles. Results showed that photoactivity of Fe(III)-doped TiO(2) under visible light was more than P25 TiO(2) photoactivity, but it was less than P25 TiO(2) photoactivity under UV irradiation. Also efficiency of UV irradiation alone and amount of phenol adsorption on Fe(III)-doped TiO(2) at dark condition was investigated.