Generation of mesoporous n-p-n (ZnO–CuO–CeO2) heterojunction for highly efficient photodegradation of micro-organic pollutants

Title

Generation of mesoporous n-p-n (ZnO–CuO–CeO2) heterojunction for highly efficient photodegradation of micro-organic pollutants

Abstract

In this research, a mesoporous rod-shaped ZnO/CuO/CeO2 n-p-n heterojunction has been designed via a two-step co-precipitation technique for photocatalytic applications. Characterization by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques confirmed the formation of mesoporous rod-shaped ZnO/CuO/CeO2 n-p-n heterojunction having preferred interface developing between the ZnO, CuO, and CeO2 phases, thus extended the light-absorption window up to 800 nm. Under sunlight, the ability of a mesoporous ZnO/CuO/CeO2 n-p-n heterojunction to act as a photocatalyst was tested with methyl orange (MO) and crystal violet (CV) as target molecules. We found the degradation efficiencies of CV and MO dyes on mesoporous ZnO/CuO/CeO2 to be 96% and 88%, respectively, after 90 min of sunlight irradiation. The estimated rate constants (k, min−1) for deterioration of CV and MO under sunlight over ZnO/CuO/CeO2 composite were 0.039 and 0.022 min−1, respectively. We endorsed the greater photo-response, the well-aligned band-structure, and practical usage of the photo-induced carriers of the mesoporous photocatalyst to be the leading causes for the outstanding photocatalytic properties of ZnO/CuO/CeO2 n-p-n heterojunction. The ultimate oxidizing species that destroyed dyes were O2‾ and ·OH over ZnO/CuO/CeO2 photocatalyst under sunlight illumination. Besides, the recycling tests confirmed the high photostability of the ZnO/CuO/CeO2 photocatalyst. Hopefully, the mesoporous rod-shaped architecture of the n-p-n heterojunction with anticipated interface manufacturing will assist the photocatalyst strategy with better photocatalytic action under sunlight irradiation.

Scientific Type

اكاديمي

Link

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272884222035787?via%3Dihub

Journal volume

vol.49,No.3

Collaboration type

مشترك

Publish Date

February 1, 2023

Participated Universities (Publication)

Alnoor University

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

King Abdulaziz University

Al Mustaqbal University College

Yeungnam University

King Khalid University

Bahauddin Zakariya University

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

Scopus status

In Scopus

Scopus index year

2 023

Scopus quarter

1

Scopus citation score

8.899999619

Clarivate status

In Clarivate

Clarivate index year

2 023

Clarivate impafact

5.532000065

Pub. Med. status

Not In PubMed

Author (Publication)

ايمان رمزي محمد غزال

Journal (Publication)

Ceramics International

Publisher (Publication)

Elsevier

ISSN

0272-8842

Country (Publication)

United kingdom

Country type

عالمية

College (Publication)

College of Dentistry

Departement (Publication)

Department of Dentistry