Preparation and visible-light photocatalytic activity of Au-supported porous CeO2 spherical particles using templating

Porous spherical CeO2 particles were prepared by impregnation of a cerium precursor solution into organic monolith sphere particles, with subsequent firing at 500 °C in air. The single-phase CeO2 powder had specific surface area of greater than 140 m2/g. Photodeposition with UV illumination loaded Au onto the CeO2 particle surface, which changed from yellowish to purple because of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The Au-loading increased photocatalytic decomposition activity of the CeO2 powder for gaseous 2-propanol (IPA) under visible light. Thermal desorption of IPA, which was adsorbed to all porous spheres, provided flux to the photocatalytic reaction field of the sphere outer surface.

► Porous spherical Au-supported CeO2 particles were prepared by impregnation method.
► The Au-loading increased photocatalytic decomposition activity for IPA under visible light.
► Thermal desorption of IPA provided flux to the sphere outer surface.