Hydrothermal preparation of neodymium oxide coated titania composite designer particulates and its application in the photocatalytic degradation of procion red dye

Nd₂O₃ coated onto titania composite designer particulates using 1M NaOH at 250°C and P~80 bars with an experimental duration of 5-72 h were obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Different weight % of Nd₂O₃ (1-9%) was used for coating in order to reveal the role of Nd₂O₃. Characterization of the Nd ₂O₃ coated titania composite designer particulates obtained was carried out using XRD and FTIR spectroscopy techniques. Photocatalytic reactivity of Nd₂O₃ coated titania composite designer particulates was evaluated by studying the degradation of procion red dye. The effect of various kinetic parameters like initial dye concentration, catalyst amount, pH of the medium, temperature of the medium, light source and catalyst reusability on the photodegradation of procion red dye has been discussed in detail. The thermodynamic parameters like energy of activation, enthalpy of activation, entropy of activation and free energy of activation were estimated.