Synthesis and characterization of photocatalytic porous Fe3+/TiO2 layers on glass

Wet chemical synthesis and preliminary photocatalytical characteristics of titania and Fe(III)-containing TiO2 layers are presented. A highly stable c oating colloids could be prepared under base- as well as acid-catalyzed con densation conditions. Structural properties of the as-prepared wet gels and sintered films were investigated using SEM, TEM, XRD as well as optical ab sorption spectroscopy, DTA-TG analysis and photomineralisation studies. X-r ay amorphous wet titania gel layers start to crystallize at 500 degreesC fo rming the characteristic anatase phase. In the presence of iron ions (Fe/Ti = 1), nanocrystalline FeTiO3 ilmenite phase forms. Both TiO2 and Fe-contai ning TiO2 films demonstrate a photocatalytic activity in the process of the photomineralization of dichloroacetic acid.