Green synthesis and characterization of Dy2Ce2O7 ceramic nanostructures with good photocatalytic properties under visible light for removal of organic dyes in water

In this investigation, for the first time, Dy2Ce2O7 nanostructures as photocatalyst are synthesized through a simple, efficient and eco-friendly route, utilizing vitis vinifera juice as novel and green fuel. The applied fuel for production of Dy2Ce2O7 nanostructures as photocatalyst in this investigation is natural and nontoxic. Vitis vinifera juice contains glucose and fructose as reductants that can bring to desirable steric hindrance effect in the fabrication process, and accordingly can play role of green capping agent. Calcination temperature is altered to obtain the favorable Dy2Ce2O7 sample in terms of shape, photocatalytic performance and grain size. Various nanostructured samples in terms of shape, photocatalytic performance and grain size can be produced through altering calcination temperature. A variety of techniques are employed for characterization the structure, shape, grain size, composition and optical features of the as-produced nanostructures. The mesoporous structure of the as-produced nanostructures is studied by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. At the following, various nanostructured samples are applied as photocatalyst to degrade methyl orange, rhodamine B and 2-naphthol contaminants. The results denote that the prepared nanostructured sample with utilizing vitis vinifera juice as novel and green fuel at 400 degrees C as photocatalyst revealed great photocatalytic performance on the destruction of methyl orange, rhodamine B and 2-naphthol contaminants under visible illumination. This investigation demonstrates a potential application of the nanostructured Dy2Ce2O7 prepared with utilizing vitis vinifera juice as green fuel through an eco-friendly route in the efficient destruction of organic dyes (under visible illumination) that may lead to environmental pollution. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.