Synthesis and characterization of Fe-doped nanotitania using solgel technique and application for Zn ²⁺ reduction from aqueous solution

Iron-doped titania nanoparticles was prepared via sol-gel process with continuous ultrasonication. Solutions of iron with different initial concentrations were used to verify the percentage of iron incorporated into titania matrix and the catalyst was characterized for its morphology, surface area, doped iron percentage on the surface and photocatalytic activity against Zn ²⁺ from aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a well distributed spherical nanoparticles shape. Energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) proved that a maximum of 1 wt% of iron can be doped onto the surface of the catalyst when the initial iron concentration in solution is 6000 mg/L. The particle size of the catalyst was determined using particle size analyzer (PSA) and found that the catalyst size is around 6 nm. BET surface area analysis showed that the catalyst has a surface area of 112.59 m ²/g. The photocatalytic activity of the produced Fedoped titania showed a reduction capacity of 12 mg Zn ²⁺/g when the initial zinc concentration is 35mg/L.