Fe/TiO 2 : A Visible Light Active Photocatalyst for the Continuous Production of Hydrogen from Water Splitting Under Solar Irradiation

A series of Fe/TiO 2 catalysts with varying amounts of Fe (0.2–2.0 wt%) were prepared by doping of Fe on the surface of nano TiO 2 . The XPS results revealed that Fe exists in Fe 3+ state in a strong interaction with TiO 2 . The strong absorption band for Fe/TiO 2 in the range of 440–575 nm infers the modification of TiO 2 surface with Fe dopant. N 2 adsorption, TEM and SEM studies proved that the catalysts are mesoporous with high surface area and nanosized particle in size (≈5 nm). Photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated for the generation of H 2 from water splitting under solar irradiation. Optimisation of Fe 3+ ion doped over the surface of TiO 2 was studied, it is observed that 0.5 wt% Fe/TiO 2 catalyst exhibited enhanced hydrogen yield of 270 μmol-H 2 /h activity, while un doped TiO 2 shows 2.8 μmol-H 2 /h.The improved photocatalytic activity of Fe/TiO 2 can be attributed to synergistic effects such as band gap in the visible region and minimum electron hole recombination over the surface by the formation of electron trapping centres. Graphical Abstract Fe/TiO 2 , a nano and mesporous visible light active photocatalyst shows highly enhanced hydrogen production under solar irradiation. Surface doping of metal ions seems to be more suitable than the lattice doping for the enhanced photocatalytic activity. Time on stream hydrogen production under solar irradiation over TiO 2 and different wt% of Fe doped on surface of TiO 2 photocatalysts is studied