Effect of M-doping (M = Fe, V) on the photocatalytic activity of nanorod rutile TiO2 for Congo red degradation under the sunlight

Nanorods TiO2, Fe-TiO2 (3 and 2 at.% Fe), V-TiO2 (5 at.% V) were prepared by a low temperature method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, transmission electron microscope and BTE surface area analysis. The as-prepared samples were evaluated as catalysts for photodegradation of Congo red aqueous solution under the sunlight. Nanorods Fe-doped TiO2 shows higher adsorption and also higher photocatalytic degradation of Congo red solution compared to pure nanorods TiO2 rutile. A higher activity is obtained when the amount of doped Fe is 2 at.%, compared to 3 at.%. However, nanorods V-TiO2 does not show neither adsorption nor photodegradation activity of Congo red solution.