Sonocatalytic degradation and catalytic activities for MB solution of Fe treated fullerene/TiO2 composite with different ultrasonic intensity

Fe–fullerene/TiO2 composite catalysts were prepared with titanium (IV) n-butoxide (TNB) by a sol–gel method. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), specific surface area (BET), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The catalytic activities were evaluated by the catalytic oxidation of methylene blue (MB) solution. XRD patterns of the composites showed that the Fe–fullerene/TiO2 composite contained a typical single and clear anatase phase. The surface properties shown by SEM present a characterization of the texture on Fe–fullerene/TiO2 composites and showed a homogenous composition in the particles for the titanium sources used. The EDX spectra for the elemental identification showed the presence of C and Ti with strong Fe peaks for the Fe–fullerene/TiO2 composite. The degradation of MB solution by ultrasonic irradiation in the presence of Fe–fullerene/TiO2 compounds was investigated in complete darkness. With the increase in the amount of Fe, the degradation rate of methylene blue solution also increased.