A new route to the synthesis of titanium-doped photosensitive haematite

Synthesis of advanced ceramic materials with improved microstructure, finding widespread applications as photocatalysts, is a challenge before the chemists. This communication describes a wet chemical method based upon sol-gel technique, which is simple, fast and can be effectively used for the synthesis of doped metal-oxide semiconductors, which constitute a widely used class of photocatalysts. The method has been successfully employed in synthesizing Ti-doped Fe2O3 (haematite), using aqueous solutions of Fe and Ti nitrates as precursor. The key reagent involved here is glycerol (taken in appropriate amount), the intricate chemistry of which helps in simultaneous precipitation of both Fe and Ti at pH slightly above 7, thus avoiding phase separation. The doped Fe2O3 thus synthesized has been characterized, particularly with regard to its potential use in photoelectrochemical cell.