Photocatalytic degradation of o-cresol sensitized by iron–titania binary photocatalysts

Abstract

The degradation of ortho-cresol ( o-cresol) assisted by Fe/TiO 2 photocatalysts was investigated in oxygenated aqueous suspension in a spiral glass flow reactor. Iron–titania (1–10 wt.% Fe) mixed catalysts have been prepared by sol–gel impregnation method using metal alkoxide precursors. The surface structure of Fe/TiO 2 catalyst was studied by surface analysis with XPS and TEM techniques. Characterization of these catalysts, fired at different temperatures (in the range 500–900°C) using X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the sintering temperature and incorporation of iron ions mediate the phase transformation and growth of pseudobrookite (Fe 2TiO 5) phase at higher temperatures. The rate of degradation of o-cresol decreases with the increasing sintering temperature and iron content of the catalysts and the initial pH of the aqueous solution of o-cresol changes with the illumination time due to the formation of various acidic intermediate photoproducts.