Abstract: The particles of titanium-iron (Ti/Fe) complex with different Fe contents were prepared by means of the sol-gel method and used as a photocatalyst. The activity of the catalyst was investi gated as a function of the Fe content during the liquid-phase oxidation of tetracycline, which showed an enhancement at the low Fe content. The XRD, Raman, XPS, and UV-Vis absorp tion spectra indicated that the crystalline structure of the Ti/Fe complex particles changed from anatase phase to rutile phase when the Fe content increased. The isolated Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, FeO species were observed and Fe³⁺ ions were highly dispersed in the TiO₂ matrixes, then Ti--O--Fe species were formed. These species increased the surface defects of the Ti/Fe particles. Also, ac tive hydroxyl radicals could be generated in the catalytic transformation, which led to the higher activity of the catalyst than bare TiO₂ for the degradation of tetracycline.

Key words: Titanium, Fe doped photocatalyst, Photocatalytic activity, Tetracycline