A CeO2 Semiconductor as a Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Material for the Remediation of Pollutants in Industrial Wastewater: A Review

Catalysts

Elzbieta Kusmierek¹ 

[1] Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116 St., 90-924 Lodz, Poland;

关键词: ceria;    semiconductor;    photocatalysis;    photoelectrocatalysis;    wastewater remediation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/catal10121435

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The direct discharge of industrial wastewater into the environment results in serious contamination. Photocatalytic treatment with the application of sunlight and its enhancement by coupling with electrocatalytic degradation offers an inexpensive and green technology enabling the total removal of refractory pollutants such as surfactants, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, textile dyes, and heavy metals, from industrial wastewater. Among metal oxide—semiconductors, cerium dioxide (CeO₂) is one of the photocatalysts most commonly applied in pollutant degradation. CeO₂ exhibits promising photocatalytic activity. Nonetheless, the position of conduction bands (CB) and valence bands (VB) in CeO₂ limits its application as an efficient photocatalyst utilizing solar energy. Its photocatalytic activity in wastewater treatment can be improved by various modification techniques, including changes in morphology, doping with metal cation dopants and non-metal dopants, coupling with other semiconductors, and combining it with carbon supporting materials. This paper presents a general overview of CeO₂ application as a single or composite photocatalyst in the treatment of various pollutants. The photocatalytic characteristics of CeO₂ and its composites are described. The main photocatalytic reactions with the participation of CeO₂ under UV and VIS irradiation are presented. This review summarizes the existing knowledge, with a particular focus on the main experimental conditions employed in the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic degradation of various pollutants with the application of CeO₂ as a single and composite photocatalyst.

【 授权许可】

Unknown