Development of attapulgite/Ce1−xZrxO2 nanocomposite as catalyst for the degradation of methylene blue

Abstract

Novel attapulgite (ATP)/Ce1−xZrxO2 nanocomposite was prepared by a facile homogeneous deposition method using hexamethylenetetramine as precipitator. The catalytic activity of ATP/Ce1−xZrxO2 was investigated by oxygenating methylene blue dye wastewater using O3 as oxidant. HRTEM, XRD, FT-IR, Raman and H2-TPR data reveal significant interactions between CeZrO oxides and ATP support, the evolution of textural, structural and oxidation state as a function of the composition, and the formation of more oxygen vacancies in Ce1−xZrxO2. The molar fraction of Zr4+ demonstrates considerable influence on the degradation rate of the methylene blue. Compared with pure ATP and ATP/CeO2, the ATP/Ce1−xZrxO2 composite remarkably enhances catalytic activity, and a maximum degradation rate of methylene blue at 99% is achieved when the molar fraction x is 0.2.