Investigation of Structural and Photocatalytic Properties of CeO2-Based Oxides with Different Nickel Additive Ratios (3%, 6%, 9%Ni) Synthesized by Glycine-Assisted Combustion Method

Year 2025, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 12 - 21, 26.12.2025

Derya Kara , Sultan Fırtına , Nuran Bilmez

Abstract

This study successfully synthesized cerium dioxide nanoparticles with varying nickel (Ni) doping ratios (CeO2:xNi) (x = 3%,6%,9%) using the glycine-assisted combustion method.Starting materials included cerium nitrate, nickel nitrate, and glycine. The resulting powders were heat-treated at 8000C for 2 hours to enhance crystallinity. The structural properties were thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Raman Spectroscopy. Specifically, Raman analysis confirmed the formation of structural defects and oxygen vacancies due to Ni doping. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated by measuring the degradation of organic dyes (methylene blue and methyl blue) under a 300 W xenon lamp. Adsorption-desorption equilibrium was reached in the dark, and degradation kinetics were monitored via UV-Vis spectroscopy (200-800 nm) and modeled using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. The results demonstrate that Ni doping effectively modifies the CeO2 structure, promoting oxygen vacancy formation.This structural change significantly enhanced the photocatalytic performance, offering a valuable approach for developing high-performance, cost-effective photocatalysts for environmental remediation.

Keywords

Cerium dioxide doped nickel , nanoparticles , photocatalysis , glycine assisted combustion , dye degradation

Thanks

We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Süleyman KERLİ and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Handan ÖZLÜ TORUN for their assistance with this study.

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