Development of attapulgite/Ce1−xZrxO2 nanocomposite as catalyst for the degradation of methylene blue

Novel attapulgite (ATP)/Ce1−xZrxO2 nanocomposite was prepared by a facile homogeneous deposition method using hexamethylenetetramine as precipitator. The catalytic activity of ATP/Ce1−xZrxO2 was investigated by oxygenating methylene blue dye wastewater using O3 as oxidant. HRTEM, XRD, FT-IR, Raman and H2-TPR data reveal significant interactions between CeZrO oxides and ATP support, the evolution of textural, structural and oxidation state as a function of the composition, and the formation of more oxygen vacancies in Ce1−xZrxO2. The molar fraction of Zr4+ demonstrates considerable influence on the degradation rate of the methylene blue. Compared with pure ATP and ATP/CeO2, the ATP/Ce1−xZrxO2 composite remarkably enhances catalytic activity, and a maximum degradation rate of methylene blue at 99% is achieved when the molar fraction x is 0.2.

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► Ce1−xZrxO2 and attapulgite (ATP) interact and evolve as a function of loading and molar fraction x.
► Catalytic oxidation property of ATP/Ce1−xZrxO2 is superior to either ATP or ATP/CeO2.
► Molar fraction x in ATP/Ce1−xZrxO2 has significant impact on the degradation of methylene blue.
► A remarkable 99% decomposition of methylene blue is achieved in 240 min when x = 0.2
► A mechanism is proposed for the generation of OH.