Improved decolorization of MB using CeCoO₃/PbS heterojunction as a superior‐excellent photocatalyst

Abstract

Developing effective and inexpensive photocatalysts is considered a helpful approach to pollution degradation. Herein, CeCoO3/PbS photocatalyst was synthesized via the hydrothermal procedure and described by XRD, IR, SEM, EDS, PL, and DRS analyses. The results revealed the deposition of PbS on the CeCoO3 surface, as illustrated by the FE‐SEM images. The influence of photocatalyst dosage, temperature, electron acceptor, and pH toward the decolorization of MB under the irradiation of a UV lamp was considered. By CeCoO3/PbS photocatalyst, the conversion percentage achieved 98% within 10 min, around two times more than pure CeCoO3 and PbS. According to the experimental and calculated results, the Type‐II heterojunction formation was observed, which boosted the photoactivity of CeCoO3/PbS by its higher charge separation rate compared with perovskite and PbS and the stronger redox capability of charges. In addition, CeCoO3/PbS nanocomposites have impressive stability and efficiency after five cycles of experiments. Consequently, the coupling of CeCoO3 with PbS provides a favorable pathway to remove contamination.