Visible light induced self‐cleaning performance of iron‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles for surface applications

Abstract

AbstractThis study aimed to enhance the visible light photosensitivity of TiO2 nanoparticles for self‐cleaning applications by doping with Fe3+. Nanocrystalline undoped and Fe‐doped TiO2 (Ti1 − xFexO2, x = .01–.04) were synthesized via sol–gel method. The results demonstrated that Fe‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited visible light sensitivity and self‐cleaning properties. An increased Fe concentration resulted in a red shift in the absorption band edge. Fe0.03‐doped TiO2 with an average particle size of ∼21 nm, a crystallite size of ∼12 nm, and a band gap of ∼2.86 eV showed the highest photocatalytic activity (60% methylene blue degradation) and super‐hydrophilicity (water droplet contact angle 9°) under visible light radiation. These findings highlight the potential of Fe‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles as a promising material for self‐cleaning applications.