Impact of nanoceria shape on degradation of diethyl paraoxon: Synthesis, catalytic mechanism, and water remediation application

Environmental Research
Shi-Wei ZhanWei-Lung Tseng

Abstract

A series of nanomaterials have been demonstrated to be powerful for direct degradation of diethyl paraoxon (EP) to diethyl phosphate and 4-nitrophenol in aqueous solution. However, comparison of catalytic activity of different nanomaterials toward EP is rarely explored. In the present study, four different morphological nanoceria (cubes, rods, polyhedral, and spheres) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as a catalyst for the degradation of EP in comparison to other commercially available nanomaterials. Among the tested nanoceria, the cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanopolyhedra possess the best catalytic activity toward the hydrolysis of EP owing to their abundant oxygen vacancy sites, optimal ratio of Ce(III) to Ce(IV), and specific exposed facets. Under the conditions of 0.2 M NH3/NH4Cl buffer and 25 °C, the CeO2 nanopolyhedra catalyzed the reduction of EP to 4-nitrophenol with a >99% conversion at pH 8.0 for 50 h, at pH 10.0 for 12 h, and at pH 12.0 for 2.5 h. The catalytic degradation of nearly 100% EP in NH3/NH4Cl buffer (pH 10.0) at 25 °C is in the decreasing order of CeO2 nanopolyhedra > CeO2 nanorods > ZnO nanospheres (NSs) > CeO2 nanocubes > TiO2 NSs > CeO2 NSs > Fe3O4 NSs ~ Co3O4 NSs ~ control experiment. The mechan...Continue Reading

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