New route for preparation of cerium vanadate nanoparticles with different morphology and investigation of optical and photocatalytic properties

Here in, through a new and simple method on the reaction between Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and NH3VO4 in water, we synthesized nanoparticles sphere-like cerium vanadate (CeVO4). Besides, the effects of three capping agents such as asparagines, cysteine, and arginine on the morphology and particle size of CeVO4 nanoparticles were investigated. The optical property of the desired product was studied by UV-Visible spectroscopy and band gap of product was calculated about 3 eV. Some techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), were employed to characterize structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of CeVO4 nanoparticles. Also, the photocatalytic activity of nanocrystalline CeVO4 investigated by the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) dye in aqueous solution. Photodegradation maximum efficiency is calculated 92% for MO under visible light irradiation.