Enhanced photocatalytic performance of cauliflower-like CeO2-TiO2 nanocomposite for the RhB dye degradation under visible light

This work has investigated the photocatalytic activity of the CeO2-TiO2 nanocomposites synthesized by mechanical alloying with different molar ratios of CeO2:TiO2 powders within 5 h of milling. The structure, microstructure and content of all crystalline phases identified in the milled nanocomposites are revealed by analyzing the XRD patterns employing the Rietveld refinement technique and FTIR spectra. The morphology of the nanocomposites is investigated by analyzing FESEM images. The UV-vis absorbance spectra of the samples have revealed the optical bandgaps and photocatalytic behaviours of all prepared nanocomposites. The photodegradation of a model organic pollutant Rhodamine B (RhB) has been investigated using a UV-vis spectrophotometer under visible light illumination. About 63% of RhB has been degraded under visible light in the presence of the 20CeO(2)-80TiO(2) (2Ce8Ti-5 h) nanocomposite within 240 min. The multicycle test of the 2Ce8Ti-5 h nanocomposite shows the reusability of the asprepared photocatalyst. Thus, this nanocomposite can be used as an effective photocatalytic for removing organic dye from wastewater. Copyright (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the photocatalytic activity of CeO2-TiO2 nanocomposites synthesized by mechanical alloying. The structure, microstructure, crystalline phases, morphology, optical bandgaps, and photocatalytic behaviors of the nanocomposites are analyzed. One of the nanocomposites exhibits high photodegradation efficiency for the organic pollutant Rhodamine B under visible light illumination, and it shows reusability.