Preparation, characterization and catalytic oxidation property of CeO2/Cu2+- attapulgite (ATP) nanocomposites

Cerium oxide (CeO2) coated on copper modified attapulgite clay nanocomoposite (CeO2/Cu2+-ATP) was prepared by homogeneous deposition method. The microstructures of the as-prepared CeO2/Cu2+-ATP nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicated that CeO2 particles with average size of about 5 nm were loaded onto the Cu2+-ATP and were widely dispersed. Comparing the catalytic activity of ATP/CeO2 and CeO2/Cu2+-ATP, the catalytic activity was improved when a small quantity of Cu2+ was introduced. The loading amount of CeO2 and reaction temperature had important effects on decolorization ratio of methyl orange (MO). When the loading amount and reaction temperature were 70% and 338 K, respectively, the decolorization ratio of MO reached over 99%, which showed excellent catalytic activity.