(In1-xFex)2O3 nanostructures for photocatalytic degradation of various dyes

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 243; p. 122516
• Main Authors: Jabeen, Sobia, Iqbal, Javed, Arshad, Aqsa, Awan, M.S., Warsi, M.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.03.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Absorption spectra; Catalytic activity; Chemical properties; Dopants; Dyes; Indium oxides; Iron; Methylene blue; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Ultraviolet radiation
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2019.122516

In this work, Fe-doped In2O3 nanostructures have been prepared using a simple chemical route. Various physio-chemical properties have been investigated. XRD results show that Fe dopant induces no impurity phase in cubic In2O3. For optical properties, Fe dopant induced blue-shift appears in absorption spectrum of In2O3. A comparison of photocatalytic activity of neat In2O3 and Fe-doped In2O3 nanoparticles has been obtained. An enhancement of UV light triggered photocatalytic activity to photodegrade methylene blue, RhB and methyl orange upto 83%, 95.36% and 93.77% respectively has been achieved. The existence of oxygen vacancies in Fe doped In2O3 and optimized bandgap makes Fe doped In2O3 a potential photocatalyst. [Display omitted] •Simplistic synthesis of Fex(In2O3)1-x (x = 0, 0.01, 0.05) nanostructure.•Study of various physio-chemical properties of Fe+3 doped In2O3 nanostructure.•1% Fe doped In2O3 catalyst shows maximum photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, rhodamine B and methylene Blue.•Study of recycling stability of 1% Fe doped In2O3 catalyst against the three organic dyes.