Synthesis and characteristics of natural zeolite supported Fe3+-TiO2 photocatalysts

Natural zeolite supported Fe3+-TiO2 photocatalysts were synthesized for the sake of improving the recovery and photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2. The as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Methyl orange was used to estimate the photocatalytic activity of the samples. The results showed that zeolite inhibited the growth of TiO2 crystallite sizes. The Fe3+ concentration played an important role on the microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the samples. The iron ions could diffuse into TiO2 lattice to the form Fe–O–Ti bond and gave TiO2 the capacity to absorb light at lower energy levels. The photocatalytic activity of the samples could be enhanced as appropriate dosages of Fe3+ were doped.