Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using a Novel Sr2CeO4:Ni Photocatalyst for the Degradation of the Recalcitrant Congo Red Dye Under Solar Irradiation

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Topics in Catalysis Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report the structural, morphological and photocatalytic properties of the Sr2CeO4 (SCO) and Ni-doped Sr2CeO4 (SCO:Ni) powders synthesized by a combustion method. The SCO was doped with Ni dopant (from 0.5 to 5 mol%) and was employed for the degradation of the recalcitrant Congo red (CR) dye. SCO powders (undoped and Ni doped) had an orthorhombic phase and they showed an irregular morphology. SCO:Ni samples presented sizes of microns (2–3.36 µm), but smaller nanoparticles were found on their surface, which had sizes of 98–106 nm. On the other hand, photocatalytic experiments were achieved and found that the SCO powder doped with 1 mol% of Ni produced 100% of CR degradation after 210 min under solar irradiation. Total organic carbon measurements were carried out and obtained TOC values of 1.81, 0.21 and 1.31 mg/L for the SCO powders doped with 0, 1 and 5 mol% of Ni, respectively, after 210 min of photocatalytic reaction. Those values indicate that the SCO powder doped with 1 mol% of Ni had the highest production of mineral (inorganic) carbon. Moreover, the absorbance spectra showed that the absorption of light in the visible region is enhanced by ≈ 45% after increasing the Ni concentration from 0 to 1 mol% in the SCO powders, but decreases ≈ 21% after increasing the Ni concentration from 3 to 5 mol%. Furthermore, scavenger experiments were carried out and found that the hydroxyl radicals (·OH) were the main oxidizing agents produced for the photocatalytic degradation of the CR, while the super oxide radicals (·O2−) and the holes (h+) were the secondary oxidizing agents. Thus, the results of this investigation confirmed that the SCO:Ni photocatalysts could be good candidates for the photocatalytic removal of dyes under solar light, and could find application in water treatment plants located in open areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Popa M, Dumitrel G-A, Mirel G, Popa D-V (2015) Anthropogenic contamination of water from Galda river—Alba County, Romania. Agric Agric Sci Procedia 6:446–452

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lade H, Govindwar S, Paul D (2015) Mineralization and detoxification of the carcinogenic azo dye Congo red and real textile effluent by a polyurethane foam immobilized microbial consortium in an upflow column bioreactor. Int J Environ Res Public Health 12:6894–6918

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Arantes V, Baldocchi C, Milagres AMF (2006) Degradation and decolorization of a biodegradable-resistant polymeric dye by chelator-mediated Fenton reactions. Chemosphere 63:1764–1772

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lin X, Xu J, Keller AA, He L, Gu Y, Zheng W, Sun D, Lu Z, Huang J, Huang X, Li G (2020) Occurrence and risk assessment of emerging contaminants in a water reclamation and ecological reuse project. Sci Total Environ 744:140977

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ma C, Wang F, Zhang C, Zhigang Y, Wei J, Yang Z, Li Y, Li Z, Zhu M, Shen L, Zeng G (2017) Photocatalytic decomposition of Congo red under visible light irradiation using MgZnCr–TiO2 layered double hydroxide. Chemosphere 168:80–90

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Long Z, Li Q, Wei T, Zhang G, Ren Z (2020) Historical development and prospects of photocatalysts for pollutant removal in water. J Hazard Mater 395:122599

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Xia C, Nguyen THC, Nguyen XC, Kim SY, Nguyen DLT, Raizada P, Singh P, Nguyen V-H, Nguyen CC, Hoang VC, Van Le Q (2022) Emerging cocatalysts in TiO2-based photocatalysts for light-driven catalytic hydrogen evolution: progress and perspectives. Fuel 307:121745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kim SY, Zhao S, Jung D, Cha BJ, Saqlain S, Choe H, Hwang C-C, Kim YD (2021) Visible light responsive rutile TiO2 photocatalysts mixed with cement: enhancement effect driven by TiO2/cement interfaces. Appl Surf Sci 570:151136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mousavi M, Ghasemi J (2021) Novel visible-light-responsive Black-TiO2/CoTiO3 Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst with efficient photocatalytic performance for the degradation of different organic dyes and tetracycline. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 121:2411–2502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Thiagarajan V, Alex SA, Seenivasan R, Chandrasekaran N, Mukherjee A (2021) Toxicity evaluation of nano-TiO2 in the presence of functionalized microplastics at two trophic levels: algae and crustaceans. Sci Total Environ 784:147262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Xiao Y, Du Y, Xiao Y, Zhang X, Wu J, Yang G, He Y, Zhou Y, Peijnenburg WJGM, Luo L (2021) Elucidating the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on the toxicity and accumulation of Cu in soybean plants (Glycine max L.). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 219:112312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Jovanović B, Whitley EM, Kimura K, Crumpton A, Palić D (2015) Titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhance mortality of fish exposed to bacterial pathogens. Environ Pollut 203:153–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. García CR, Diaz-Torres LA, Salas P, Guzman M, Angeles-Chavez C (2015) Photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties of bismuth doped strontium aluminates blended with titanium dioxide. Mater Sci Semicond Process 37:105–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. García CR, Oliva J, Arroyo A, Garcia-Lobato MA, Gomez-Solis C, Torres LAD (2018) Photocatalytic activity of bismuth doped SrAl2O4 ceramic powders. J Photochem Photobiol A 351:245–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Viesca-Villanueva E, Oliva J, Garcia CR, Gomez-Solis C, Diaz-Torres LA, Avalos-Belmontes F, Lopez-Badillo CM, Enriquez AIM, Garcia-Lobato MA (2021) Effect of the urea concentration on the luminescence and photocatalytic properties of Sr2CeO4 powders synthesized by a combustion method. J Photochem Photobiol A 410:113139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. She H, Zhou H, Li L, Wang L, Huang J, Wang Q (2018) Nickel-doped excess oxygen defect titanium dioxide for efficient selective photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 6:11939–11948

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Pouretedal HR, Keshavarz MH (2010) Synthesis and characterization of Zn1−xCuxS and Zn1−xNixS nanoparticles and their applications as photocatalyst in Congo red degradation. J Alloys Compd 501:130–135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Joseph AIJ, Thiripuranthagan S (2015) Metal doped titanate photo catalysts for the mineralization of congo red under visible irradiation. RSC Adv 5:9792–9805

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Karuppasamy K, Vikraman D, Hussain T, Hussain S, Bose R, Sivakumar P, Murthy AP, Alfantazi A, Kim H-S (2021) Ternary Zn1−xNixSe nanostructures as efficient photocatalysts for detoxification of hazardous Congo red, methyl orange, and chrome yellow dyes in wastewater sources. Environ Res 201:111587

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Indira K, Shanmugam S, Hari A, Vasantharaj S, Sathiyavimal S, Brindhadevi K, El Askary A, Elfasakhany A, Pugazhendhi A (2021) Photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye using nickel-titanium dioxide nanoflakes synthesized by Mukia madrasapatna leaf extract. Environ Res 202:111647

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Sboui M, Nsib MF, Rayes A, Ochiai T, Houas A (2017) Application of solar light for photocatalytic degradation of Congo red by a floating salicylic acid-modified TiO2/palm trunk photocatalyst. C R Chim 20:181–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Jiang R, Zhu H, Fu Y, Jiang S, Zong E, Yao J (2020) Photocatalytic decolorization of Congo red wastewater by magnetic ZnFe2O4/graphene nanosheets composite under simulated solar light irradiation. OzSE 42:174–182

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Arora P, Fermah A, Rajput JK, Singh H, Badhan J (2017) Efficient solar light-driven degradation of Congo red with novel Cu-loaded Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 24:19546–19560

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hou C, Liu W (2018) One-step synthesis of OH-TiO2/TiOF2 nanohybrids and their enhanced solar light photocatalytic performance. R Soc Open Sci 5:172005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ranjith KS, Kumar RTS (2017) Regeneration of an efficient, solar active hierarchical ZnO flower photocatalyst for repeatable usage: controlled desorption of poisoned species from active catalytic sites. RSC Adv 7:4983

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Li H, Zhang Y, Diao J, Qiang M, Chen Z (2021) Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of hierarchical Zn-ZSM-5 structures. Catalysts 11:797

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Asencios TJO, Machado VA (2022) Photodegradation of organic pollutants in seawater and hydrogen production via methanol photoreforming with hydrated niobium pentoxide catalysts. Sustain Chem 3:172–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Zeghioud H, Khellaf N, Amrane A, Djelal H, Bouhelassa M, Assadi AA, Rtimi S (2021) Combining photocatalytic process and biological treatment for Reactive Green 12 degradation: optimization, mineralization, and phytotoxicity with seed germination. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28:12490–12499

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Li J, Li X, Hu S, Li Y, Hao Y (2013) Photoluminescence mechanisms of color-tunable Sr2CeO4:Eu3+, Dy3+ phosphors based on experimental and first-principles investigation. Opt Mater 35:2309–2313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Monika DL, Nagabhushana H, Krishna RH, Nagabhushana BM, Sharma SC, Thomas T (2014) Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of a novel Sr2CeO4:Dy3+ nanophosphor with enhanced brightness by Li+ co-doping. RSC Adv 4:38655–38662

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Li J, Wang L, Zhou H, Liu X, Xu B (2010) Electronic properties and europium ion photoluminescence behaviors in Sr2CeO4 phosphor. J Alloys Compd 506:950–955

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Rasyda YA, Rahardjo SB, Nurdiyah F (2019) Synthesis and characterization complex nickel(II) with diphenylamine. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 578:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Dolgonosa A, Masona TO, Poeppelmeier KR (2016) Direct optical band gap measurement in polycrystalline semiconductors: a critical look at the Tauc method. J Solid state Chem 240:43–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Ma C, Wen Y, Yue Q, Li A, Fu J, Zhang N, Gai H, Zheng J, Chen BH (2017) Oxygen-vacancy-promoted catalytic wet air oxidation of phenol from MnOx–CeO2. RSC Adv 7:27079

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Long X, Li F, Gao L, Hu Y, Hu H, Jin J, Ma J (2018) Heterojunction and oxygen vacancy modification strategies of ZnO nanorod arrays photoanode for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting. ChemSusChem 11:4094–4101

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Gong Y, Andelman T, Neumark GF, O’Brien S, Kuskovsky IL (2007) Origin of defect-related green emission from ZnO nanoparticles: effect of surface modification. Nanoscale Res Lett 2:297–302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Jorge Oliva thanks to Conacyt for the funding awarded through the Catedras-Conacyt program. C. R. Garcia acknowledges the financial support provided by the University of Coahuila.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Prol. David Berlanga S/N Edif. A. unidad Camporredondo, 25000, Saltillo, COAH, Mexico

    C. R. Garcia & D. Chavez

  2. CONACYT-División de Materiales Avanzados, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C., 78216, San Luis Potosí, Mexico

    J. Oliva

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Ing. J. Cardenas Valdez S/N, República, 25280, Saltillo, COAH, Mexico

    E. Viesca-Villanueva

  4. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional Unidad Saltillo, Industrial, Zona Industrial, 25900, Ramos Arizpe, COAH, Mexico

    Y. Tejada-Velasquez & A. I. Mtz-Enriquez

  5. Centro de Investigaciones en Óptica. A.C., Lomas del Bosque 115, Lomas del Campestre, 37150, León, GTO, Mexico

    L. A. Diaz-Torres

Authors
  1. C. R. Garcia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Oliva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. Chavez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Viesca-Villanueva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. Tejada-Velasquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. I. Mtz-Enriquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. L. A. Diaz-Torres
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to C. R. Garcia or J. Oliva.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 726 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Garcia, C.R., Oliva, J., Chavez, D. et al. Using a Novel Sr2CeO4:Ni Photocatalyst for the Degradation of the Recalcitrant Congo Red Dye Under Solar Irradiation. Top Catal 65, 1102–1112 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-022-01690-7

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-022-01690-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation