Novel three-dimensionally ordered macroporous Fe ³⁺ -doped TiO ₂ photocatalysts for H ₂ production and degradation applications

Novel three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Fe ³⁺ -doped TiO ₂ photocatalysts were prepared using a colloidal crystal template method with low-cost raw material including ferric trichloride, isopropanol, tetrabutyl titanate and polymethyl methacrylate. The as-prepared 3DOM Fe ³⁺ -doped TiO ₂ photocatalysts were characterized by various analytical techniques. TEM and SEM results showed that the obtained photocatalysts possess well-ordered macroporous structure in three dimensional orientations. As proved by XPS and EDX analysis that Fe ³⁺ ions have been introduced TiO ₂ lattice and the doped Fe ³⁺ ions can act as the electron acceptor/donor centers to significantly enhance the electron transfer from the bulk to surface of TiO ₂ , resulting in more electrons could take part in the oxygen reduction process thereby decreasing the recombination rate of photogenerated charges. Meanwhile, the 3DOM architecture with the feature of interfacial chemical reaction active sites and optical absorption active sites is remarkably favorable for the reactant transfer and light trapping in the photoreaction process. As a result, the 3DOM Fe ³⁺ -doped TiO ₂ photocatalysts show the considerably higher photocatalytic activity for decomposition of the Rhodamine B (RhB) and the generation of hydrogen under visible light irradiation due to the synergistic effects of open, interconnected macroporous network and metal ion doping.