Preparation and photocatalytic properties of Zn/Ce/Ti oxide and their composite oxide by the combustion method

ABSTRACT

ZnO, CeO₂, TiO₂, ZnO-CeO₂ (ZC), CeO₂-TiO₂, ZnO-TiO₂ (ZT) and ZnO-CeO₂-TiO₂ (ZCT) powders were fabricated using a combustion synthesis (CS) method for applying to photo-degradation and decoloration of Methyl blue with them as catalysts. Ascorbic acid (C₆H₈O₆) and nitrate were used as fuel and raw materials, respectively. The powder was obtained when the processing parameters were optimized. C₆H₈O₆ as fuel was used for the preparation of ZnO, CeO₂, TiO₂, ZC, CT, ZT and ZCT powders. The produced particles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the particle morphology, UV for absorbent properties, IR for purity of sample, and XRD for phase, particle size and crystallinity of the samples. In addition, these particles showed good photocatalytic and decolorizing activity, which provided an opportunity for these materials to be used for the degradation and decoloration of Methyl blue.

KEYWORDS:

• Combustion
• composite oxide
• decolorizing
• photocatalyst