Degradation of Phthalocyanine by a Core-Shell TiO2 Photocatalyst: Effect of Iron Dopping on Band Gap

Abstract

In this research, initially, the sol-gel method was employed to produce γ-alumina and TiO₂ catalysts with core-shell structure. Iron (III) was used as a dopant. The newlyproduced core-shells were Fe/TiO₂// Fe/ γ-Al₂O₃ (FTFA). Sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine was used as a dye pollutant in Merox process. By doping Fe in TiO₂ catalyst, the efficiency of photocatalytic activity in photodegradation of sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine was increased. Photocatalytic activity of Fe/TiO₂// Fe/ γ-Al₂O₃ in UV irradiation was investigated and complete degradation of sulfonated cobalt phthalocyanine was confirmed via UV-Vis spectrophotometry and Total Organic Carbon analysis. Structure, morphology, and specification of new core-shell composites of FTFA were studied using several spectroscopic techniques. The efficiency of the FTFA catalyst is very good in alkaline media and close to the TiO₂ catalyst performance in acidic media. The complete destruction process was investigated with TOC and the synthesized catalyst degraded 5 ppm of solution polluted by SCP in a maximum of 30 min.<br /> <br /> <strong><em> </em></strong>