Enhancement photocatalytic activity of CeO2 infused CA@Gelatin nanocomposites for the degradation of organic dyes under UV-light irradiation

Abstract

In the present study, facile 100% recoverable handpicked CeO2/CA@GEL (CA; Cellulose acetate, GEL; Gelatine) nanocomposite thin film photocatalyst were successfully synthesized by simple solution cast method. The efficacy of the CeO2/CA@GEL was tested against the photodegradation of organic dyes viz Crystal violet (CV) and Rhodamine-B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The CeO2/CA@GEL exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, durability and utmost 80.52% (CV) and 82.65% (RhB) degradation of the dye solution was achieved within 60 min. The CeO2/CA@GEL showed the excellent degradation efficiency compared to pure CeO2 Nanoparticles. The reactive oxidative species involved in the photocatalytic reaction is superoxide radical anion (O2 radical) and OH radical under visible light irradiation by trapping experiments. The 100% recovery of the photocatalyst was achieved by simple handpicking process and stable unto its 3rd usage.