Synthesis and characterization of ceria nanostructures with different morphologies via a simple thermal decompose method with different cerium complexes and investigation the photocatalytic activity

In this experimental work different morphologies of the ceria nanostructures were synthesized via a simple thermal decompose method. Different ligands and cerium complexes were successfully synthesized. These complexes were served to synthesis of CeO2 nanostructures and due to steric effect of the ligands around the cerium ion, very small particles (about 70–80 nm) and shapes were obtained. The ligands and complexes were characterized via proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The obtained nanostructures were characterized via X-ray diffraction pattern, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Optical property of the product was examined by photoluminescence spectroscopy and the sample band gap was calculated to 2.95 eV. The photocatalytic activity of the product was examined by decomposition of two dyes namely rhodamine B and methylviolett under ultraviolet radiation. The results showed that the synthesized product has high photocatalytic activity and it can be destructive to the used dyes in the high percent (90 %).