SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND PHOTOCTALYTIC ACTIVITY OF ALUMINIUM-IRON MIXED OXIDE NANOPARTICLES FOR PHOTODEGRADATION OF CONGO RED

Abstract

n this study synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic application of alumina-iron mixed oxide nanoparticles has been made. Four series of alumina- iron mixed oxide catalysts (Fe203, Al203 -Fe203 -400, AIJ03 -Fe203 -600, Al2 OrFe203 -800 and Al203 - Fe203 -1000 °C) with different alumina fraction were prepared. The Fe203 nanoparticles and mixed Fe203/Al203 nanocomposites were prepared by aqueous combustion synthesis method using Fe(N03)J.9H20, Al(N03)J.9H20 as precursors and N2H4 CO as fuel. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, XRF, FT-IR, and UV-Vis DRS techniques. From X RD analysis, i t was clearly observed that the as-synthesized samples have a-Fe203 predominantly and a-Al203 phases as well. The XRF elemental analysis indicated the presence of Al, Fe & 0 elements in the alumina/iron oxide mixed composite samples. FT I R results showed I R peaks attributable to Fe-0 and Al-0 vibrations which co nfi rm the presence o f both Fe203 and Al203 i n the as-synthesized samples. The UV-Vis spectra study assured that the band g ap decreased with increasing annealing temperature and content of alumina and hence the absorption band shifts toward the longer wavelength region ( red shift). Th e e ff ect o f annealing temperature and alumina on the rate o f photodegradation of C R was also investigated. The experimental results showed that CR degradation depends on the annealing temperature and alumina content. In all cases, .he photocatalytic activity gradually increased with increasing alumina content as well as annealing temperature. Key Words: Iron ( III) Oxide Nanoparticles, Alumina, Annealing Temperature, XRD Characterization, Photocatalysis, Degradation of Congo red.