Volume 10 Issue 3 ( September 2023 )

Using cerium nitrate as a cerium source and oil palm leaves (OPL) as the main silica (SiO₂) source, CeO₂–SiO₂ (OPL) powder was synthesized via calcination at 900 °C under air conditions. An X-ray diffraction analysis of the as-prepared product revealed the formation of CeO₂ supported on cristobalite SiO₂ along with some other minor element oxides. The Fourier transform infrared spectra showed peaks attributable to the Si–O–Si and Ce–O bonds of the binary oxide. According to a scanning electron microscopy analysis, the solid materials produced via calcination were in aggregated form. The solid, which was easily powdered by grinding in a mortar, was studied for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and phenol compounds from aqueous solution. The results showed that the CeO₂–SiO₂(OPL) material could remove MB up to 62.6% but was ineffective for phenol removal under various conditions.

Keywords: ceria; silica; oil palm leaves; toxic compounds; composite