Abstract
To photo-catalytically degrade RhB dye using solar irradiation, CeO2 doped TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized hydrothermally at 700 °C for 9 hrs. All emission spectra showed a prominent band centered at 442 nm that was attributed to oxygen related defects in the CeO2-TiO2 nanocrystals. Two sharp absorption bands at 1418 cm−1 and 3323 cm−1 were attributed to the deformation and stretching vibration, and bending vibration of the OH group of water physisorbed to TiO2, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of Ce-TiO2 nanocrystals were investigated through the degradation of RhB under UV and UV+ visible light over a period of 8 hrs. After 8 hrs, the most intense absorption peak at 579 nm disappeared under the highest photocatalytic activity and 99.89% of RhB degraded under solar irradiation. Visible light-activated TiO2 could be prepared from metal-ion incorporation, reduction of TiO2, non-metal doping or sensitizing of TiO2 using dyes. Studying the antibacterial activity of Ce-TiO2 nanocrystals against E. coli revealed significant activity when 10 μg was used, suggesting that it can be used as an antibacterial agent. Its effectiveness is likely related to its strong oxidation activity and superhydrophilicity. This study also discusses the mechanism of heterogeneous photocatalysis in the presence of TiO2.
Highlights
Solar energy is uniquely poised to solve major energy and environmental challenges that are being faced by humankind
In this study we report a detailed investigation of CeO2-doped TiO2 nanocrystals and their structural properties, crystallinities, phase transformations, morphologies, and photocatalytic and band gap engineering
The composites prepared hydrothermally consisted of 5–10 nm particles that were agglomerated to form porous, irregular networks and consisted of monodisperse CeO2 nanoparticles, as shown in the High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images
Summary
The percentage decomposition of the RhB pink absorption peak (578.21 nm) after 1 and 2 hrs was 93% These results highlight the superior photocatalytic response of ceria-doped TiO2 nanocomposites[68,69,70,71,72]. The percentage decomposition of RhB absorption peak after 8 hrs irradiation in the presence of CeO2-doped TiO2 photocatalysts increased to 99.89%. These results highlight that the addition of Ce improves the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanocrystals. The MBC was regarded as the lowest concentration that prevents the growth of a bacterial colony in this media
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