Mn-doped CeO2 and CeO2 with the same morphology (nanofiber and nanocube) have been synthesized through hydrothermal method. When applied to benzene oxidation, the catalytic performance of Mn-doped CeO2 is better than that of CeO2, due to the difference of the concentration of O vacancy. Compared to CeO2 with the same morphology, more oxygen vacancies were generated on the surface of Mn-doped CeO2, due to the replacement of Ce ion with Mn ion. The lattice replacement has been analyzed through XRD, Raman, electron energy loss spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance technology. The formation energies of oxygen vacancy on the different exposed crystal planes such as (110) and (100) for Mn-doped CeO2 were calculated by the density functional theory (DFT). The results show that the oxygen vacancy is easier to be formed on the (110) plane. Other factors influencing catalytic behavior have also been investigated, indicating that the surface oxygen vacancy plays a crucial role in catalytic reaction.

To eradicate the aquatic pollution caused by dyes, trendily the global researchers provide dedication to dye degradation using nanostructured photocatalyst. This research work is dedicated to explore an advanced, facile, bio-compact green fabricated nanostructure for water refinement. In this regard, plant-mediated syntheses of pure CeO2 and Mn-decorated CeO2 nano-powders have been inspected using seed extract of Cassia angustifolia. Investigations through UV-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy explored the significantly tuned band gap of Mn:CeO2. FT-IR spectroscopy shows the existing functional groups of high-potential phenolic compounds, proteins, and amino acids in Cassia angustifolia act as reducing and capping agents involved in the green fabricated nanostructured samples. X-ray diffraction pattern has been exposed to crystalline cubic fluorite morphology in a single phase and it leads to a regulated optimized amount of Mn on CeO2 nanostructure. The FESEM analysis predicts the morphology of CeO2 in spherical and Mn:CeO2 in flower-like structure. The HRTEM analysis has portrayed particle size of CeO2 is 11 nm and tuned Mn:CeO2 nanostructure is 9 nm. The HRTEM images revealed the average particle size in the range 10-12 nm in CeO2 and 8-9 nm in 5 mol% Mn:CeO2 nanoparticles. It showed a decrease in average particle size with an increase in Mn concentration and the reduction in size may be due to the replacement of Ce(IV) with Mn(II) ions. The elemental composition in nanostructure was predicted using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The rapid photocatalytic degradation efficiency of malachite green was effectually performed and compared with the kinetics model of Mn:CeO2 and pure CeO2 nanostructures. From the augmented results, tuned Mn:CeO2 was found to act as the finest green fabricated photocatalyst in the amputation of lethal and carcinogenic dye.