Preparation and characterization of Fe2O3/TiO2/clay plates and their use as photocatalysts

This work focuses on the preparation and characterization of Fe2O3/TiO2/clay plates for use as photocatalysts in the decolorization of organic pollutants from an aqueous solution under solar irradiation. The plates was produced from the different amounts of Fe2O3 and TiO2 oxides supported on natural red clay. Plates with 3.75 cm (diameter) and 1 mm (thick) was obtained by pressing and subsequent calcination at 500 degrees C. The materials was characterized by X-ray diffraction, chemical composition by X-ray fluorescence, N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, reflectance diffuse spectroscopy, and flexural strength test. The results showed that the plate with more content of Fe2O3, presented a higher surface area and flexural strength, and smaller band gap and crystallite size. The synergistic effect of these properties may have favored the superior photocatalytic activity for the dye decolorization under solar irradiation.