Microstructure and visible light photocatalytic activity of Fe–TiO 2 films on steel by PEO

Abstract

Fe doped TiO₂ ceramic films were fabricated on carbon steel by plasma electrolytic oxidation. The microstructure of the film was characterised, and the photocatalytic activities of the films were evaluated. The results showed that the phases of the films were anatase TiO₂ and Al₂TiO₅. The film surface was rough and porous. With increasing the treatment time, the pores on film surfaces gradually became deep and large, which made the film surfaces rougher. Fe–TiO₂ films showed red shift in photoresponse towards the visible region. The photocatalytic activities of the films were evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of Rhodamine B aqueous under visible light irradiation. The results revealed that the film showed visible light photocatalytic activity. With increasing treatment time, the degradation rate of rhodamine B gradually increased and the highest degradation rate was ∼80% in visible light irradiation for 6 h.