Iron Oxide/ Indium Hydroxide Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization and Its Photocatalytic Activity

Lee, Tommy Hoong Wy (2018) Iron Oxide/ Indium Hydroxide Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization and Its Photocatalytic Activity. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

High concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has gained a lot of attention over the decades as it is one of the main contribution of greenhouse gases and to global warming. Desire in looking renewable resources to replace conventional non-renewable fossil fuel is the primary concern nowadays as it helps to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. The study detailed herein is related to the preparation of photocatalytic nanocomposites consisting of iron oxide/indium hydroxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4/In(OH)3). The aim of this study is to improve the photocatalytic efficiency in visible light or sunlight by incorporation of Fe3O4 into In(OH)3 and the composite was synthesized through co-precipitation and cathodic reduction method for conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol. The nanocomposite photocatalyst, Fe3O4/In(OH)3 was characterized in term of optical properties, morphology, crystalline phase, magnetic properties, particle size and zeta potential. As a results, Fe3O4/In(OH)3 nanocomposite was successfully prepared and the Tauc’s plot revealed the band gap of Fe3O4/In(OH)3 sample decreases to 2.85 eV from 4.60 eV of In(OH)3 which indicates a greatly improve in visible light absorption. The preliminary study on the photocatalytic conversion showed that the conversion of carbon dioxide under only visible light irradiation was positive based on the production of methanol of 90 ppm. In addition, the Fe3O4/In(OH)3 nanocomposite can be readily recovered from the system using a magnet due to their ferricmagnetic properties.