Photodegradation of methylene blue aqueous solution sensitized by pyrochlore-related κ-CeZrO4 oxide powder

The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue aqueous solution sensitized by a pyrochlore-related K-CeZrO4 phase was investigated under irradiation with Xe discharge light. The optical absorbance of the solution was first decreased smoothly, and then retention was observed in several hours due to the formation of a new absorption peak. The absorbance spectrum resembled that of thionine. The present study confirms that the photocatalytic reaction sensitized by K-CeZrO4 was different from that by TiO2.