Developed and characterization of a novel Cd doped CeO2 nanofilm and application of methyl orange removed by photodegradation

Abstract

Cerium oxide (CeO₂) films doped with cadmium (Cd) were synthesized employing the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique (USP). The structural, surface, and optical properties of the prepared Cd-doped CeO₂ films were also investigated. All films were polycrystalline, exhibiting as cubic fluorite structure. In addition, the optical bandgap obtained using the UV data ranged from 3.23 to 3.52 eV. Cd-doped CeO₂ films exhibited Raman scattering, in which the multi-peak setting of the first optical longitudinal mode was observed, indicated the Raman shift of the characteristic peak in the ~ 461 cm⁻¹ range. In addition, the photodegradation capacities of Cd-doped CeO₂ films were investigated for the removal of pesticides that pollute human and environmental health. As a result, proposed Cd-doped CeO₂ thin films show very high (approximate 80%) photocatalytic activity for removing important pollutants, such as methyl orange dyestuff. Consequently, the CeO₂ film doped with Cd can be readily reused for five cycles without a notable alteration in photocatalytic activity.