Magnetically Retrievable Fe‐doped TiO2 Nanoparticles for Photo‐induced Toxic Dye Removal Applications

Abstract

AbstractIn light of the applications of nanotechnology in wastewater treatments, an attempt is made to fabricate the Fe‐doped TiO2 nano‐photocatalyst via simple and cost‐effective sol‐gel auto ignition route by following the green synthesis approach. The prepared nano‐photocatalyst samples are characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET, and UV‐Vis spectroscopy in order to study the structural, morphological, surface, and optical properties. XRD analysis validates the anatase phase formation and nanoscale structure of the prepared nano‐photocatalyst. The spherical shaped grain morphology with some agglomeration is visualized in SEM image. The high specific surface area values are observed from the N2‐adsorption/desorption curves of the prepared samples. Further, the photocatalytic performance of the prepared nano‐catalyst samples is evaluated by measuring the percentage degradation of toxic dye (Rhodamine B) under UV light radiation. The degradation rates as 98.7% and 98.2% in 120 min are observed in the case of Rhodamine B for pure and Fe‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles, respectively. The reusability of the prepared nanoparticles is evaluated for five cycles and it shows negligible changes in dye degradation. All these outputs show that prepared Fe‐doped TiO2 nanocatalyst are promising for industrial wastewater purification treatments.