Synthesis of CeO2/TiO2 nanotubes and heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

In this study, the preparation of CeO2/TiO2 nanotubes (CeO2/TiO2-NTs) is demonstrated using the hydro-thermal method. The conditions for the synthesis were optimised using the Box-Behnken design. The samples obtained were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, and Raman spectroscopy. The photocatalytic behaviour under visible light and kinetics of the CeO2/TiO2-NTs catalyst via methylene blue degradation were addressed. The results showed that the introduction of CeO2 into TiO2-NTs enhanced the photocatalytic activity in the visible light region. CeO2/TiO2-NTs were stable and potential as a visible light photocatalyst for the organic substances degradation in aqueous solutions.