Parametric study on phenol photocatalytic degradation under pure visible and solar irradiations by Fe-doped TiO2

Fe-doped TiO2 photocatalysts of different Fe/Ti molar ratios were successfully prepared using wet impregnation method. Prepared Fe-doped TiO2 photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscope and specific surface area analysis. All the Fe-doped TiO2 photocatalysts possess only anatase crystal structure with no peaks relevant to iron. The activity of the Fe-doped TiO2 photocatalyst for the degradation of phenol was investigated under solar and visible lights and under different reaction conditions, e.g. doping ratio, catalyst concentration and hydrogen peroxide concentration. The degradation rate under solar irradiation was much higher than that under visible light irradiation. 0.05% Fe/Ti molar ratio was the optimum doping ratio for phenol degradation under solar as well as visible light. Photocatalyst of this doping ratio showed higher activity than P25 TiO2 under solar light irradiation and visible irradiation which might be due to electron-hole separation by iron.