Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic activity of CeO2 nanocrystalline using ammonium bicarbonate as precipitant

CeO2 nanocrystalline was obtained as a final decomposition product of hydrated cerium carbonate formed by using ammonium bicarbonate as precipitant. The decomposition course of hydrated cerium carbonate and the formation process of CeO2 were studied by TG and XRD. Moreover, the effect of the dispersant on the dispersity of the CeO2 powder was studied by SEM. The results show that hydrated cerium carbonate completely decomposes to CeO2 at 300 °C for 2 h, and the crystallinity increases with increasing calcination temperature. The dispersity of the CeO2 powder can be improved by the dispersant. For the first time, CeO2 nanocrystalline was utilized as a photocatalyst for the photocatalytic degradation and decolorization of the dye Acidic Black 10B. The decolorizing rate can reach about 97% under appropriate conditions. Therefore, CeO2 nanocrystalline possesses photocatalytic activity, and shows promising in dye wastewater treatment.