| dc.description.abstract | Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (F-T NPs) were synthesized using the sol-gel method where different molar concentrations (0, 1, 2,
3, 5, 7, 9, and 10%) of Iron (iii) nitrate were added to a constant amount of the metal precursor TetraisopropylOrthotitanate
(TTIP) solution, the solvent precursor ethanol and refluxing agent diethanolamine at the ratios of 1:6:1 respectively. The gel
formed was annealed at 500°C in a muffle furnace for 2h. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) showed Fe-O symmetrical
stretching vibration for the 5% doping and above and Ti-O-Fe asymmetrical stretching vibration at wavenumber 668 cm-1 and
1033cm-1, respectively. Fe-O stretching vibration confirms substitution doping. The crystallite size was calculated using the
Debye Scherer equation; 2% F-T NPs had the largest crystallite size at 16.45 nm, and 7% F-T NPs had the least size at 10.95 nm,
a decrease of 2.80 nm from the 0% F-T NPs. X-ray diffraction spectra showed a merging of peaks at planes 105 and 211. The
peak at plane 204 is found to diminish, and the growth of another peak at 2θ (64.28o). Optical analysis was studied using UV-Vis,
where the Tauc plot estimated the calculated band gap (Eg). It was the least at 7% F-T NPs with a value of 4.41 eV, and 5% F-T
NPs were found to have the highest value of 4.86 eV.% Transmittance is directly proportional to the optical band gap. Scanning
Electron Microscope showed improved agglomeration and aggregation with a dense and smooth particle. Energy Dispersive
Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Fe, Ti, and O in the F-T NPs. | en_US |
