Design of CeO₂/CuBi₂O₄ nanocomposites enabling efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and antibacterial functions

The recent research involves the photocatalytic bustle of organic pollutants discharged by the leather, textile, and medical industries. The CeO₂/CuBi₂O₄ nanocomposite was equipped by the wet chemical method, and the physiochemical behaviors, like structural, optical, functional groups, chemical composition of elements, and morphology of as-prepared bare and composite materials, were characterized by various analytical instruments. The CeO₂ absorption edge in the UV region is moved after being coupled with CuBi₂O₄ in the visible spectrum. The absorption wavelengths of the pristine materials, namely CeO₂ and CuBi₂O₄, were observed at 474 nm and 510 nm, respectively. The E_g for single CeO₂, CuBi₂O₄, and CeO₂/CuBi₂O₄ nanocomposites are 2.74, 2.53, and 1.75 eV, respectively. The photocatalytic bustle of CeO₂/CuBi₂O₄ nanocomposite attained 94 %, which is obviously enhanced compared to the pristine CeO₂ (68 %) and CuBi₂O₄ (74 %). Also examined was the CeO₂/CuBi₂O₄ nanocomposite kinetics rate, which is 2.4 and 1.8 times higher than bare materials. The CeO₂/CuBi₂O₄ nanocomposites degradation rate constant of RhB dye (0.05548 min⁻¹) was significantly greater than those of CeO₂ (0.023271 min⁻¹) and CuBi₂O₄ (0.03062 min⁻¹), showing better photocatalytic efficiency. Stability and reusability test certificates indicate that the CeO₂/CuBi₂O₄ nanocomposite was more stable after the five cycles. The major free radical species were OH radicals and superoxide anions involved in RhB dye degradation. The trapping analysis suggests a potential photocatalytic mechanism that plays a dynamic role in RhB dye degradation.