Binary semiconductor oxide nanoparticles on graphene oxide (CdO/CeO2/RGO) for the treatment of hazardous organic water pollutants

CdO/CeO2/RGO was prepared by a hydrothermal process. The physical properties of CdO/CeO2/RGO have been investigated by FTIR, XRD, DRS, TEM, SEM and EDX. CdO/CeO2/RGO was used for sonocatalytic degradation of Ibuprofen (IBP), Rodamin B (RhB) and Methyl orange (MO) under ultrasonic irradiation. The catalytic properties of CdO/CeO2/RGO were evaluated with the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by NaBH4. The highest degradation efficiency of IBP in presence of K2S2O8 (91%), RhB (97%) and MO (85%) was observed within 80, 150 and 150 min after the beginning of the reaction, respectively. The reduction efficiency of 4-NP was 79% within reaction time of 70min. Compared to the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and CdO/CeO2 nanoparticles, CdO/CeO2/RGO exhibits excellent sonocatalysis on degradation of IBP, azo dyes and catalysis activity on reduction of 4-NP.