SrNiO3 perovskite/CeO2 composites as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the 2-propanol oxidation in gas–solid regime

Abstract

Both SrNiO3 perovskite and CeO2 are materials suitable for photocatalytic purposes. In this work, the preparation and physicochemical characterization of bare SrNiO3 and CeO2 along with composites where CeO2 was enriched with the perovskite from 15 to 70 % in mass of SrNiO3 in the composite are described. The materials have been used for the photocatalytic oxidation of 2-propanol in gas–solid regime in the presence of UV-LED or simulated solar irradiation. The solids were characterized by XRD, SEM/EDX, N2 adsorption/desorption and FTIR and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopies. The composite containing 15 % w/w of SrNiO3 and 85 % w/w of CeO2 resulted the most active, giving rise the complete degradation of 2-propanol after 1.5 h or 6.0 h of irradiation by UV-LED and simulated solar light irradiation, respectively. Photocatalytic activity results are discussed considering the physical–chemical properties on the catalysts.