Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of CeO2-SBA-15

Mesoporous photocatalysts of CeO2/SBA-15 are prepared by two methods of direct synthesis as solvent-usage and solvent-free methods. In solvent-usage method, CeO2/SBA-15 is synthesized in acidic media. While, in solvent-free method, CeO2/SBA-15, has been prepared through the novel path of directly grind cerium salt into the as-prepared samples of SBA-15 occluded with template. This method enables a large amount of cerium to be highly dispersed in the channels of mesoporous silica, also saves time and energy. The resulting composites exhibit photocatalytic activity, and the dispersed CeO2 in SBA-15 illustrates a photodegradation of Congo red (CR) in aqueous solution. X-ray powder diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption and FT-IR spectroscopy are used to characterize the prepared materials.