Novel method for doping of nano TiO2 photocatalysts by chemical vapor deposition

A highly active photocatalyst based on Fe doped nano-sized TiO2 was successfully synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using FeCl3 as iron source. The CVD was carried out by evaporating FeCl3 at 350°C in nitrogen flow. The samples were characterized by AAS, XRD, XPS, UV-vis and FTIR. The photocatalytic activity of samples with different Fe contents obtained after different treatment times were tested in the oxidation of i-propanol in liquid phase using visible light. Titania and high Fe loaded TiO2 samples showed very low photo catalytic activity. In contrast, low loaded Fe doped TiO2 sample exhibited high photo catalytic activity. The high catalytic activity of this sample could be related to the presence of lattice defects (Ti-OH groups).