Sonochemical synthesis of Fe–TiO2–SiC composite for degradation of rhodamine B under solar simulator

Fe–TiO₂–SiC composite with photocatalytic activity has been synthesized by a low cost sonochemical process in the presence of citric acid. The addition of citric acid during the sonochemical process allows the formation of a photocatalytic coating of Fe–TiO₂ onto silicon carbide. Experimental characterization results indicate that the composite was formed over all the surface of the silicon carbide (SiC) with an anatase crystalline TiO₂ phase with iron incorporation. The incorporation of iron narrows the band gap of TiO₂ which allow the absorbtion of light with a large wavelength. The obtained Fe–TiO₂–SiC composite exhibits good enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B under solar simulator irradiation in comparison with the commercial TiO₂–P25.