Title:Iron–doped Anatase Titania Nanostructures: Synthesis and Characterization
Volume: 9
Issue: 2
Author(s): S.D. Delekar, H.M. Yadav and P.P. Hankare
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Sol–gel method, doped titania nanostructures, magnetic measurement, TEM, FTIR, XRD.
Abstract: 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.