Preparation, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of Ce2S3 for nitrobenzene reduction

• Published in: Applied surface science 2013-06, Vol.275, p.335-341
• Main Authors: Chen, Shifu, Zhang, Huaye, Fu, Xianliang, Hu, Yingfei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ce2S3; Characterization; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Photocatalytic reduction; Physics; Preparation
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.12.040

► Ce2S3 photocatalyst was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. ► The morphology of Ce2S3 exhibits a hexagonal-shaped structure. ► Ce2S3 prepared at 300∘C for 12h has a higher photocatalytic reduction activity. ► The photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene follows first-order kinetics. Ce2S3 photocatalysts were synthesized by a co-precipitation method using cerium nitrate and thioacetamide as raw materials. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis. Photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene (NB) under UV or visible light illumination was used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the Ce2S3 samples. The result indicated that the sample prepared at 300°C for 12h exhibited the highest activity. For 140mL 8.13×10−4mol/L of NB in methanol solvent, after illumination for 5h, about 43.9% and 34.7% of NB were reduced to aniline over the sample under UV and visible light irradiation, respectively. The effects of the catalyst amount, illumination time, and sorts of solvent on the photocatalytic performance were investigated specifically. The reduction process of NB over Ce2S3 was finally discussed.