Solar photocatalytic purification of water with Ce-doped TiO2/clay heterostructures

• Novel Ce-doped TiO2/clay heterostructures were prepared by a sol–gel procedure.
• Ce-doped anatase nanoparticles were assembling over an exfoliated layered clay.
• Doping Ce ions were successfully incorporated into the anatase lattice.
• Ce-TiO2/clay was active for the degradation of organic compounds upon solar light.
• Synergistic effect of Ce doping and TiO2 was explained.

This work investigates the photocatalytic purification of water upon solar light over novel Ce-doped TiO2/clay heterostructures. These novel nanomaterials were prepared by a modified sol–gel route that allows, in a unique step, the formation of Ce-doped anatase nanoparticles and their assembling over an exfoliated clay material. Several synthesis parameters were optimized, including the anatase/clay ratio and the percentage of doping Ce incorporated. Remarkably enhanced activities toward the photodecomposition of several organic compounds were observed depending on the Ce and TiO2 contents. A synergistic effect has been observed among the textural properties, the amount of anatase formed and that of Ce doping.

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