Synthesis and Characterization of Cuo/CeO2 Nanocomposites and Investigation Their Photocatalytic Activity

In this work, CuO/CeO2 nancomposite was prepared via hydrothermal route. The product was prepared under 12 h and 150 oC. The shape, size, and crystalline structure have been investigated through using various techniques such as the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The magnetic properties of prepared nanocomposites were studied via vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Consequently, acid violet and rhodamine B dyes were applied for investigation the photocatalytic activity of prepared CuO/CeO2 nanocomposite. Results showed that Acid violet and rhodamine B were photo-decolorization under UV irradiation after 120 minutes with 95.8 % and 88.2% respectively. This excellent performance was due to the suitable band structure of synthesized CuO/CeO2 nanocomposites which led to depress the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes with increased the acidity of CeO2 after incorporation it with CuO in the crystal lattice. This work introduces new nanocomposites for decolorization of organic pollutants from wastewater.