Photocatalytic Performance of Ce, N-Doped Cu2SO3·CuSO3·2H2O Supported on Hollow Ceramic Microspheres

Cu 2 SO 3 ·CuSO 3 ·2H 2 O-based photocatalysts doped separately with Ce or N were synthesized via a liquid-phase method and further supported on ceramic hollow microspheres (CHMBs) to enhance their visible-light photocatalytic performance. The as-prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated under xenon lamp irradiation using methyl orange (MO) as the model pollutant. The doping mechanisms were investigated by first-principles calculations. The optimal nominal Ce/Cu and N/Cu molar ratios were 1.5% and 2.0%, respectively, under which the MO degradation rates reached 87% and 85% after 1 h of illumination (100 mL of 10 mg L⁻¹ MO, 0.2 g catalyst, 300 W Xe lamp). Upon loading the optimal samples onto CHMB, the degradation rates further increased to 98% and 97%, respectively. First-principles calculations using GGA + U showed that Ce doping reduced the calculated band gap from 3.464 eV to 1.660 eV in the adopted model, which is favorable for extending the light absorption range. Ce doping, N doping, and CHMB support respectively improved the photocatalytic activity of Cu₂SO₃·CuSO₃·2H₂O.