Synthesis of cerium oxide coated with semiconductor metals for photodegradation of amoxicillin and antibacterial activity from aqueous solutions

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

2 Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran/Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

Today, water pollution poses potential risks to human health and the environment. Recent research activities have focused on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as innovative technologies for water purification. Cerium oxide (CeO2) is one of the most abundant rare earth oxides, which, when combined with other metals, creates an active surface and enhances photocatalytic properties. This study investigated the antibacterial properties and photocatalytic activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles combined with the semiconductors nickel and copper in the removal of organic pollutants (Amoxicillin) and antibacterial. The results showed that these nanocomposites have significant antibacterial properties at high concentrations. The optimal amount of the nanocomposite was found to be 0.7 mg/L, with a pH of 3 being the optimal condition for this experiment. Additionally, the optimal concentration of the pollutant was 5mg/L, which, in the presence of the nanocomposites CuCo2O4/CeO2 and NiCo2O4/CeO2, successfully removed 81% and 78% of the organic pollutant, respectively, under UV-A light exposure. The results of this study indicate that the synthesis of CuCo2O4/CeO2 and NiCo2O4/CeO2 nanoparticles serves as an effective antibacterial and highly photocatalytic material that can be used for the removal of organic pollutants and antibacterial. Considering the frequency of presence of organic pollutants and pathogens in the water environment, this research aims to strengthen CeO₂ with different morphologies by metals such as Cu and Ni so that they can act as recombination centers and increase its photocatalytic properties.

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Sustainable Earth Trends

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 17 April 2025

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