Benyakhlef, M.Bensouici, F.Bououdina, M.Dakhel, A.A.Tala-Ighil, RazikaToubanea, M.2020-12-272020-12-27202024680230.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2020.100682https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S246802302030674Xhttps://dspace.univ-boumerdes.dz/handle/123456789/6032In this study, pure and Fe doped TiO2 thin films have been prepared via sol-gel method using the tetraethyl-orthotitanate as source of Ti and Fe(III) nitrate as a source of Fe3+ doping. XRD patterns exhibit typical peaks of TiO2 anatase phase. SEM observations confirm the nanometer grain size (below 10 nm) without a defined shape. Optical measurements indicate a transparency in the range 80–100%, it increases with Fe doping level while the energy band gap slightly decreases; 3.36 – 3.28 eV. Wettability test shows a super-hydrophilicity of Fe3+ doped TiO2 thin films and the low contact angle is founded for 0.6%Fe. However, no enhancement in photocatalytic activity of Fe doped TiO2 thin films have been achieved. This may be attributed to sodium diffusion from the substrate. The as-prepared nanostructured Fe-doped TiO2 thin films can be used as potential candidate for self-cleaning due to the super-hydrophilicity character in the visible lightenFe doped TiO2Thin filmsHydrophilicityPhotocatalytic activityNa+ diffusionSol-gel processArticle