UV-Induced Photodegradation of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol Using Ag–Fe2O3–CeO2 Photocatalysts

The present study described the preparation of Ag–Fe2O3–CeO2 nanoparticles via a simple co-precipitation route. The structural studies were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The photocatalytic studies were carried out via the photodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol under UV light irradiation. The photodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol was investigated by varying pH, irradiation time, initial 2,4,6-trichlorophenol concentration and catalyst dose. The photocatalytic process kinetics were described using Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, indicating the second-order reaction kinetics as the best model for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol photodegradation. Ag–Fe2O3–CeO2 photocatalyst showed the highest photocatalytic degradation rate, in which the degradation order followed a trend as Ag–Fe2O3–CeO2 (80.70%) > Fe2O3-CeO2 (52.80%) > Fe2O3 (32.18%) > CeO2 (34.04%). The adsorption equilibrium isotherms were investigated using Langmuir and Freundlich models, suggesting Langmuir isotherm with higher R2 as the most suitable model.