ePrints

Polyaniline-modified iron and copper Co-doped cerium oxide nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue: Synthesis, and characterization

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jie ZhangORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

© 2025 Elsevier B.V. This study investigates the synthesis and photocatalytic performance of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles doped with iron (Fe) and copper (Cu), both individually and combined with polyaniline (PANI). The materials were characterized using BET surface area analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV–visible spectroscopy. The nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms revealed mesoporous structures with reduced pore volume upon PANI incorporation. TGA indicated distinct degradation patterns for doped and undoped CeO2, with additional weight loss for PANI-doped samples. FTIR confirmed Ce-O and dopant bonds, and XRD patterns showed preserved CeO2 crystallinity. SEM and TEM analyses revealed the morphology and nanoscale interactions between CeO2 and PANI. UV–visible spectroscopy demonstrated a reduction in CeO2 bandgap, enhancing visible light absorption. Photocatalytic studies showed that the PANI/Fe0.05Cu0.05 CeO2 composite exhibited superior performance, achieving 79.2 % degradation of methylene blue (MB) after 120 minutes under visible light. These results highlight the potential of PANI/Fe0.05Cu0.05CeO2 for advanced photocatalytic applications in environmental remediation.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Madi K, Agueniou F, Chebli D, Tahraoui H, Bouguettoucha A, Zhang J, Amrane A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

Year: 2025

Volume: 712

Print publication date: 05/05/2025

Online publication date: 20/02/2025

Acceptance date: 18/02/2025

ISSN (print): 0927-7757

ISSN (electronic): 1873-4359

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136469

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136469

Altmetrics

Share