A Novel Low-Cost Photocatalyst: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Properties of CeO2-Diatomite Composites

Abstract

Developing CeO2-diatomite composites with highly efficient photocatalytic performance is a practical and low-cost strategy for the removal of abundant contaminants in water and wastewaters. Diatomite (D) was modified by acid treatment to obtain a more porous structure. CeO2-diatomite composites were prepared in two different mass ratios of D to CeO2 of 1:1 and 1:2 via a facile precipitation method. The changes in structural, morphological, optical, and thermal properties of CeO2-diatomite composites were characterized by FTIR, XRD, ESEM-EDAX, BET surface area, TGA, PL, Raman spectroscopy, and zeta potential techniques. ESEM images presented the morphological differences of CeO2-diatomite composites, reflecting the effect of modification as a more folded sheet form morphology and higher BET surface area. XRD analysis revealed the fluorite-type structure of CeO2 particles in composites. Photocatalytic activities were investigated by following the degradation of methylene blue (MB) as a thiazine dye model under UVA light irradiation. CeO2-diatomite composites exhibited irradiation time- and dose-dependent remarkable photocatalytic efficiencies, whereas composite type inconsistent variations were also noticed. The attained performance of the CeO2-diatomite composites could strongly imply a favorable application prospect in the photocatalysis field.