Utilizing peroxide as precursor for the synthesis of CeO2/ZnO composite oxide with enhanced photocatalytic activity

A facile synthesis method of CeO2/ZnO composite oxides with higher oxygen vacancy concentration was developed by a two-step precipitation method, in which peroxide was used as precursor. The photocatalytic activity of the catalysts under UV irradiation was studied in degradation of methylene blue (MB). All CeO2/ZnO photocatalysts exhibited higher photocatalytic performance than pure ZnO, and 1%CeO2/ZnO showed highest photocatalytic activity among the prepared catalysts. It was confirmed that the synergistic effect of CeO2 and oxygen vacancy caused the improved photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the mechanism was investigated by introducing different additives, and it was found that the hydroxyl radicals played a crucial role in degradation process. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.