Hydrogen production and photocatalytic activity of HTAB assisted titanium doped α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles treated by microwave irradiation process

Abstract

• Ti doped Iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by Microwave irradiation method. • Impact of different weight percentage of Ti doped hematite nanoparticles tuned the bandgap energy. • The spherical, granules, hexagonal blocks, platelets and foam like structures are formed in lower to higher doping of Ti in iron oxide nanoparticles. • Mainly, photocatalytic degradation percentages of Ti doped iron oxide nanoparticles were measured. The present work influence of titanium doping on morphology, optical, stoichiometry, electrical and photocatalytic efficiency of α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles which were synthesized via the microwave irradiation process. Titanium doped iron oxide nanoparticles are synthesized at different doping wt % of Ti. The increase of Titanium doping level in the iron oxide nanoparticles influences more on particle size and it increases from 38 nm for lower Ti level to 58 nm at higher Ti level. The band gap values from 2.49 eV to 2.34 eV especially in the visible light region. The valence band top resulting in decreases of band gap of α-Fe 2 O 3 , considering tuneable bandgap of Ti doped hematite nanoparticles for photocatalytic activity and MB dye degradation process performed under sunlight irradiation for hydrogen production. The morphological changes like spherical, granules, rhombus and platelet shapes are confirmed from FESEM images. The XPS results shows peaks like Ti 2p 3/2 and Ti 2p 1/2 of Ti doped iron oxide samples. The binding energy of 532 eV is almost indicated oxygen environment of α-Fe 2 O 3 . The HRTEM images are supported for morphological transformation. Overall incorporation of TiO 2 on iron oxide nanoparticles offer possibilities for utilizing this inexpensive and earth-abundant oxide materials in the pollution controlling areas.