Synthesis and characterization of Y2O3/Fe2O3/TiO2 nanoparticles by sol-gel method

Binary and ternary mixed oxide of Y/Fe/Ti with homogeneous distribution of yttrium and iron oxides into TiO2 has been prepared by sol-gel method using metal alkoxide precursors in presence of acid-base catalysts. The structural features of Y2O3/Fe2O3/TiO2 mixed oxide fired at 550 °C have been investigated by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, AFM, XPS and surface area measurements. A preliminary investigation of photocatalytic activity of mixed oxide on EDTA photo-oxidation showed that Y/Fe/Ti is more photoactive than pure TiO2.