Effect of calcination temperature on CeO2-based catalysts with enhanced photocatalytic degradation of phenol under UV light

This research delves into the photocatalytic degradation of phenol using CeO₂ nanoparticles synthesized through solution combustion synthesis (SCS) at varying calcination temperatures (250, 300, 400, 500, and 600 °C). A comprehensive array of characterization techniques was employed, including XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS, HR-TEM, N₂ physisorption, UV–Vis DRS, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. Our findings reveal a profound influence of calcination temperatures on the presence and quantity of Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ species, thereby modulating defective sites and surface area, crucial factors impacting performance. CeO₂ synthesized at 400 °C stands out with a notable combination of high defects, extensive surface area, and a photocatalytic efficiency of 62 %. This work enhances our understanding of CeO₂ photocatalysts for environmental applications and emphasizes the superior performance of mild calcination temperatures in ceria materials.