A Comparative study on synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activities of MgO and Fe/MgO nanoparticles

MgO and Fe/MgO particles in the nanometer-size regime have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal crystallization process using dodecyl benzenesulphonic acid as a surfactant. The prepared catalysts were characterized in details by multiform techniques: XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-DRS, TGA-DSC, BET surface area, and EPR spectroscopy. Comparative photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated through the photodegradation of Acid Blue 80 dye under sunlight. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of Acid Blue 80 dye in aqueous solution demonstrated that Fe ions doping greatly improved the photocatalytic efficiency of MgO nanoparticles. Most interestingly, this is the first time that it has been observed that the Fe/MgO system is quite an effective visible light active catalyst.