Optimized Dye Degradation With Functionalized Iron Oxide Thin Films Using Organometallic Derivatives

Abstract

During this research, it was kept in mind, to synthesize and functionalize iron oxide thin films with organometallic, iron containing derivatives and to improve their photocatalytic activity in the degradation of water waste pollutant dyes. The six sample slides from S1 to S6 formed as a result of pyrolysis of three iron containing precursors including ferrocene, 4-nitrophenylferrocene and 4-ferrocenylaniline on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) using different loadings. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, The Scanning Electron Microscopy, The Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and UV/Visible Spectroscopy were employed to characterize and to determine morphological behavior of thin films. Findings were valid to confirm the existence of high purity, nanostructured iron oxide thin films of various morphologies relying on the type of precursors and loading. The photocatalytic activity was analyzed using the degradation of methylene blue dye under sunlight. The Ferrocene derived films (especially S2) had a higher degradation rate (above 70%) after 30 minutes of exposure from solar irradiation. Such an increase of activity was explained by better homogeneity of the surfaces, control of nanograin formation and effective charge transfer upon photo-indication. The results indicate that precursor chemistry provides a significant impact on the physicochemical characteristics of iron oxide thin films and as a result, on their catalytic photocatalytic activity towards the environmental remediation.