DEVELOPMENT OF CEO₂/ZN₂V₂O₇ HYBRID NANOCATALYSTS FOR ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION

Abstract

Toxic pollutants in wastewater pose significant threats to environmental quality and human health, emphasizing the urgent need for efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly remediation strategies. Among various treatment technologies, photocatalytic degradation has gained considerable attention as a green and effective approach for the removal of organic contaminants, particularly synthetic dyes. In this study, a CeO₂/Zn₂V₂O₇ heterostructured nanocatalyst was synthesized using the coprecipitation method and evaluated for its photocatalytic activity toward methylene blue degradation.

The structural, optical, and morphological properties of the synthesized nanomaterials were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The CeO₂/Zn₂V₂O₇ composite demonstrated significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance compared with pristine Zn₂V₂O₇, with the 50% CeO₂-loaded heterostructure exhibiting the highest degradation efficiency. This improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to more efficient charge carrier separation, suppressed electron–hole recombination, and enhanced redox capability. These findings highlight the considerable potential of CeO₂-based heterojunction nanomaterials as promising photocatalysts for advanced wastewater treatment and the sustainable removal of organic pollutants