Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Strontium and Cerium-Co-Doped TiO₂-HAp as an Efficient Nanocomposite: Investigation of Its Photocatalytic and Catalytic Applications

Abstract

As a new and efficient nanocomposite, strontium and cerium co-doped TiO₂/HAp were synthesized and analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface measurements of porous Material Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Evaluations showed that the doping of metal cations and the presence of hydroxyapatite reduced the energy gap, increased surface area, increased adsorption, and reduced electron-hole recombination. The results also showed that over 92% methylene blue was removed within 100 min. A pseudo-first-order synthetic response was obtained. In addition, Sr and Ce co-doped TiO₂/HAp nanocomposites have been successfully applied in the synthesis of various amides in H₂O as a solvent and by selective hydration of nitrile derivatives under reflux conditions. The corresponding product was selectively obtained in good yield. The prepared nanocomposites show higher catalytic activity compared to hydroxyapatite, TiO₂, strontium and cerium co-doped TiO₂. The recyclability of the catalyst has been tested up to 5 times without loss of catalytic activity.

Graphical Abstract

Sr-Ce-TiO2/Hap nanocomposite catalyzed Selective hydration of Nitriles

Keywords:

• Nanocomposite
• Sr and Ce-co-doped TiO2/HAp
• selective hydration of nitriles
• amides
• methylene blue

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to K.N. Toosi University of Technology for the help to undertake the work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).