Effect of Fe doping on photocatalytic activity of B2O3 processed using polyvinyl borate precursor

Authors : Özcan KÖYSÜREN

Pages : 187-195

Doi:10.30728/boron.596150

View : 15 | Download : 26

Publication Date : 2019-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In this study, boron oxide (B 2 O 3 ) powder has been synthesized by the pyrolysis of polyvinyl borate precursor in air. For this purpose, polyvinyl borate precursor was synthesized through the condensation reaction of polyvinyl alcohol and boric acid, and then the polymeric precursor was pyrolyzed at 500°C. The as-prepared B 2 O 3 particles were doped with iron (Fe) ions using the wet impregnation method. The photocatalytic activity of both undoped B 2 O 3 and iron doped B 2 O 3 (Fe-B 2 O 3 ) powders was studied by investigating the degradation of the model dye, methylene blue, under UV light irradiation. It was pointed out that iron doped B 2 O 3 powder exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to undoped one. In addition, various techniques of characterization such as FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopy were performed to confirm the synthesis of B 2 O 3 particles and the presence of iron ions in the crystal structure of the prepared photocatalyst. The novelty of this study was to research the photocatalytic performance of both B 2 O 3 and Fe-B 2 O 3 photocatalysts.  
Keywords : UV light irradiation, B2O3, Fe doping, Photocatalytic activity, Polyvinyl borate