Yolk–shell Au@CeO2 microspheres: Synthesis and application in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

• The Au@CeO2 microspheres have variable space between Au core and CeO2 shell.
• The LBL method can be extended to prepare new materials with charming properties.
• The yolk–shell Au@CeO2 nanocomposites exhibit superior catalytic activity.
• The Au@CeO2 products have high stability in the decolorization of MB dye.

Porous micro- and nanostructured materials with the desired morphologies are of great interest because of their potential applications in environmental remediation. In this study, novel yolk–shell Au@CeO2 microspheres were prepared from glucose and metal salt precursors via a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis followed by precipitation and calcination. These core/shell structure were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform Infrared Spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. These rattle-type spheres were found to compose of a porous CeO2 shell (thickness ≈ 45 nm) and a solid gold core (diameter ≈ 50 ± 20 nm) with variable space between the core and the shell. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye was used as a catalytic test reaction revealing that the activity of the yolk–shell spherical products was substantially higher than that of their hollow counterparts. These new core/shell structures with encapsulated gold nanoparticles may exhibit potential applications in catalysis and adsorption.