Synthesis of novel CeO2–BiVO4/FAC composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties

To utilize visible light more effectively in photocatalytic reactions, a fly ash cenosphere (FAC)-supported CeO2–BiVO4 (CeO2–BiVO4/FAC) composite photocatalyst was prepared by modified metalorganic decomposition and impregnation methods. The physical and photophysical properties of the composite have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectra. The XRD patterns exhibited characteristic diffraction peaks of both BiVO4 and CeO2 crystalline phases. The XPS results showed that Ce was present as both Ce4 + and Ce3 + oxidation states in CeO2 and dispersed on the surface of BiVO4 to constitute a p–n heterojunction composite. The absorption threshold of the CeO2–BiVO4/FAC composite shifted to a longer wavelength in the UV–Vis absorption spectrum compared to the pure CeO2 and pure BiVO4. The composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for Methylene Blue (MB) degradation under visible light irradiation. It was found that the 7.5 wt.% CeO2–BiVO4/FAC composite showed the highest photocatalytic activity for MB dye wastewater treatment.