Preparation and characterization of TiO2/Fe2O3 binary mixed oxides and itsphotocatalytic properties

Binary mixed oxide of Fe/Ti (1 : 1 composition) with homogeneous distributi on of iron into the TiO2 has been prepared by sol-gel impregnation using me tal alkoxide precursors. The structural features of Fe/Ti mixed oxide fired at different temperatures (500, 700 and 900 degrees C) have been investiga ted by XRD, Mossbauer effect, FTIR, SEM, and TEM studies. Phase composition and crystallinity changes with increasing sintering temperature of the spe cimens. The mixed oxide exhibits excellence absorption (570-600 nm) in the visible spectral region. Photocatalytic activity of Fe/Ti oxide reduces to large extent at high sintering temperature of the sample due to the presenc e of increasing amount of inactive (Fe2TiO5) pseudobrookite phase. The samp le sintered at 500 degrees C shows highest activity for the degradation of aqueous solution of O-Cresol. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.