An investigation into an alternative photocatalyst based on CeO2/Al2O3 in dye degradation

Abstract This study aimed at evaluating an alternative catalyst based on CeO 2 /Al 2 O 3 in methylene blue photodegradation. Samples with 6, 12 and 24 wt% ceria on alumina were synthesized and characterized by BET surface area, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, EDS, TEM and point of zero charge. Photocatalyst tests were performed under UV radiation from a mercury lamp and monitored by UV–VIS spectrophotometry. Different pH conditions were evaluated. A first order kinetic model was used for fitting and analyzing experimental data. The sample with the highest CeO 2 loading had the highest activity at neutral pH in the methylene blue photodegradation process and reached 93% degradation. Electrons photogenerated in CeO 2 and the resulting holes interacted with medium molecules to form radicals that started dye degradation.