Hydrothermal Synthesis of Rare Earth Co-Doped Cerium Oxide: Influence on Phase Composition, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

In this study, the synergistic effect of CeO₂-based ternary photocatalytic behavior was investigated. The rare earth element pair was doped to improve CeO₂ photocatalytic performance. Cerium oxide (CeO₂) and co-doped Ce_0.85La_0.10M_0.05O₂; M: (Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Ho, Y) were prepared using the hydrothermal method. The synthesized compounds were examined with various analysis techniques. It was determined that the unit cell parameter varied according to the average diameters of the additive types. The relationship between the crystal parameter and degradation was examined.  It was also determined that the particle size of the compounds changed in nm sizes. The Tauc plot was used in the calculation of the band range. The lowest band range 2.02 eV was observed in the Ce_0.85La_0.10Gd_0.05O₂ compound.  The cationic dyestuff methylene blue was used in the catalytic experiments. The behavior of the compound with the dyestuff was also examined and a xenon lamp was used in order to observe the particle effect. When the results of the catalytic experiments were evaluated, it was shown that the added particles disintegrated the dyestuff and that the methylene blue degradation of the Ce_0.85La_0.10Gd_0.05O₂ compound was 68% (at100 min).