CuO and Ce-doped CuO Prepared by Microwave Hidrotermal Method in Photodegradation of Remazol Golden Yellow Dye

Abstract

Copper oxide (CuO) is a heterogeneous catalyst applied with success in several systems like vegetable oils transesterifications. The Ce-dopoing CuO is a promisor material with a potential improve catalysis performances. In this work, CuO and Ce-doping CuO were synthesized by the microwave hydrothermal method in only 5 min at low temperature (100 oC) without templates or other petroleum dependent organic substances, using only copper and cerium nitrates and sodium hydroxide as a precursors. Both materials were applied as photocatalysts for the degradation of remazol golden yellow dye (RNL). X-ray diffraction analysis showed that CuO and Ce-doped CuO has monoclic copper oxide structure without secondary phases. SEM analysis showed the Ce-doping full modify the CuO powder morphology. The dye RNL degradation rate of Ce-doping CuO was bigger than pure CuO and the expensive CeO2.