Effect of Fe2O3-CeO2 nanocomposite synthesis method on the Congo red dye photodegradation under visible light irradiation

Congo red azo dye is a very toxic with large structure material which represents a serious hazard for the fresh water stream. This work aimed to investigate ceria and iron doped ceria nanocomposites activity in Congo red azo dye photodegradation under the visible light irradiation. The catalysts were prepared by the precipitation and modified sol-gel auto combustion methods. The obtained catalysts were characterized by high-resolution X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms analyses through Brunauer Emmett-Teller and Barret-Joyner-Halenda methods and Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The three prepared catalysts showed good affinity for photodegradation under visible light towards Congo red dye. The catalytic activity was studied by using 1, 2, and 3 g/L of the prepared catalyst to detect the optimum loading. The dye photodegradation percentage has reached maximum of 96 by using 2 g/L of Fe-CeO(2()p()) catalyst. This related mainly to its adsorption capacity and large lattice parameter of Fe-CeO2(p) rather than Fe-CeO2(sg) and neat ceria which decrease the rate of electron hole recombination and increase photoactivity.