Effective degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid endocrine disruptor using CeO2-Bi2O3 mixed metal oxide photocatalyst under visible light irradiation

Herein, we report CeO2-Bi2O3 mixed metal oxide synthesized through co-precipitation method as an efficient photocatalyst for environmental remediation. The synthesized material was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, UV-Vis-DRS, SEM and EDAX analysis which revealed the presence of functional groups, crystalline phases, thermal stability, band gap, surface morphology and elemental composition, respectively. The optical properties were enhanced after the mixing of Bi2O3 semiconductor metal oxide which was confirmed by UV-Vis-DRS spectroscopy. The band gap energy of the synthesized material was found to be 2.22 eV. SEM images showed the surface morphology with rod-like structure. The photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated under visible light irradiation using 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid as a model pollutant. Photocatalytic studies were performed by conducting kinetic studies, by product analysis and reusability of the nano-material. The obtained results proved that the material was highly active in the visible region exhibiting 91% degradation in 780 min for the tested 2,4-D herbicide. The present reaction followed pseudo first order and was found to be reusable even upto the third cycle. More than 90% of COD removal was achieved using CeO2-Bi2O3 mixed metal oxide nanocomposite. Hence, the prepared photocatalyst is highly efficient for the degradation of toxic effluents.

Automated summary

CeO2-Bi2O3 mixed metal oxide synthesized through co-precipitation method was reported as an efficient photocatalyst for environmental remediation. Characterized by various techniques, the material showed enhanced optical properties with a band gap energy of 2.22 eV and exhibited high activity in degrading pollutants under visible light, with over 90% COD removal achieved.