Abstract
Pr2O3 nanowires and Ni-Pr2O3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method and a photoassisted deposition methods, respectively. Pr2O3 was prepared as nanowires and nickel was deposited as metallic nickel. Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid using visible light irradiation was used as a model reaction to measure photocatalytic performances of Pr2O3 nanowires and Ni-Pr2O3 nanocomposites. Deposition of nickel on surface of Pr2O3 nanowires increase photocatalytic activity of Pr2O3 nanowires. Also, we noticed that wt % of deposited nickel play important role in control photocatalytic activity of Pr2O3 nanowires and the highest photocatalytic activity was achieved by using 0.3 wt % of nickel. 0.3 wt % Ni-Pr2O3 nanocomposites have photocatalytic stability for degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid for five times.
•Preparation of Pr2O3 nanowires.•Addition of nickel shifts absorption of Pr2O3 nanowires to visible region.•Complete degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic was achieved with 0.3 wt% Ni/Pr2O3 nanocomposites.