AgSm2O3 nanocomposite for environmental remediation of cyanide from aqueous solution

• Synthesis of AgSm2O3 nanoparticles by a photo assisted deposition.
• Characterization by XRD, SEM, scanning XPS probing, PL, and UV–visible.
• Ag stabilizes the catalyst phase and shifts its spectrum towards visible region.
• Catalyst evaluation for visible light photodegradation of cyanide pollutants.
• Complete degradation of CN− was achieved with 3 wt% AgSm2O3.

Samarium oxide (Sm2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized with photodeposition of Ag noble metal using a photo assisted deposition method (AgSm2O3). This is expected to induce a shift in the absorption band edge of the Sm2O3 photocatalyst to visible region. The fabricated materials were characterized by several techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Photoluminescence emission spectrum (PL), and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis/NIR) were used for the morphological structure, chemical composition and optical properties of the catalysts. Doping of Sm2O3 with Ag nanoparticles appeared to stabilize the catalyst phase and shift its structure in the UV absorption spectrum towards visible region as evidenced by UV–vis–DRS measurements. The produced AgSm2O3 nanoparticles were evaluated as catalyst for visible light photodegradation of cyanide pollutants in aqueous solution. The photocatalytic experiments were performed in a batch reactor under 150 W visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). Parameters affecting the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst such as the catalyst dose, solution pH, and CN concentration were investigated and evaluated.

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