Controllable synthesis of cerium zirconium oxide nanocomposites and their application for photocatalytic degradation of sulfonamides

Abstract

In this work, series of cerium zirconium oxide (CexZryO2) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method, and their photocatalytic sulfonamide performances were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrated that the size of the CexZryO2 nanocomposites increased with the increasing Zr content. The Ce element in the CexZryO2 nanocomposites existed mainly in the forms of Ce3+ and Ce4+, and the Zr element in the form of Zr4+. Additionally, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, transient photocurrent, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electron spin resonance measurements showed that among the series, the Ce0.9Zr0.1O2 sample exhibited the smallest band gap, the largest photoelectric response and lowest impedance. Under the illumination of artificial solar light, the Ce0.9Zr0.1O2 composite showed the best photocatalytic performance with a degradation efficiency of 91.33% within 30 min, which was largely ascribed to the efficient production of O2− and OH radicals.