Comparison of the Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO/CeO2 and ZnO/Yb2O3 Mixed Systems in the Phenol Removal from Water: A Mechanicistic Approach

Abstract

In this paper we compare the photocatalytic activity of two semiconductors based on ZnO: ZnO/CeO2 and ZnO/Yb2O3. The two samples were prepared via hydrothermal synthesis and fully characterized by X-ray diffraction technique, diffuse reflectance Ultra Violet- Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), high resolution transmission electron microscopy and finally with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The prepared materials were also tested in their photocatalytic performances both through Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) analyzing the formation of charge carriers and with the abatement of a probe molecule like phenol, in presence and in absence of scavengers.