Synthesis, Characterisation and the photocatalytic performance of europium oxide/ceria nanocomposite

Abstract

ABSTRACT Different loadings of europium were doped into commercial ceria nanoparticles by using europium nitrate solution followed by thermal treatment. The characterisation results showed a formation of Eu2O3 nanoparticles covering the ceria particles; moreover, the density of such cover is increased with europium loading. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared samples was evaluated in the photocatalytic decolourization reaction of methyl green under the illumination of UV black light with an average wavelength of 367 nm. The reaction rate of europium-doped ceria was 4.5–10 times higher compared to the neat ceria sample.