A NOVEL APPROACH OF PURE AND Ni2+, Ca2+ AND Mg2+ DOPED CERIA QUANTUM DOTS WITH ENHANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY

Cerium oxide quantum dots are known to catalyze the decomposition of reactive oxygen species such as the superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide. Herein, we examine the superoxide dismutase (SOD) of pure (CeO2) and several transition metal ions (Ni2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) doped CeO2 quantum dots were synthesized using the sol-gel method in an air atmosphere. The systematically characterized to let on its structure, optical and photocatalytic properties were studied using various techniques. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates that the particles are in cubic structure. The mean size of the nanoparticles calculated through Scherrer equation is in the range of 6–13 nm. The absorption spectra of all the samples are blue shifted from the bulk ceria.The high photocatalytic efficiency was reached in all doped ceria quantum dots compared to pure ceria. Especially, Mg2+ doped ceria yielded higher photocatalytic efficiency compared to others.