Iron-doped Anatase Titania Nanostructures: Synthesis and Characterization

Titania nanostructures doped with iron in optimum composition (0.0 mole%-3.0 mole%) have been synthesized using sol-gel method from sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant and titanium (IV) isopropoxide precursor. XRD studies of all samples demonstrate the characteristic features of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide in tetragonal anatase phase. XRD with magnetic measurements reveal the homogeneous substitution of few Ti4+ sites by Fe3+ dopant ions in titania host lattice. Pure titania and doped titania samples were studied by TEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for morphological and compositional analysis; respectively. TEM measurements showed that the particle size is in the range of 7-15 nm. Raman bands at 637 cm(-1), 517 cm(-1), and 397 cm(-1) confirm the anatase phase of titania in all samples. Surface area and pore volume of 3.0 mole% Fe-doped titania sample, significantly higher than lower iron-doped or -undoped titania samples. Optical absorption of iron-doped titania is shown in the visible region of solar spectrum which further enhanced with iron content in the titania matrix.