Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science^* Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, INDIA^**
○Tayur N Guru Row^* Giridhar Madras^** Sudarshan Mahapatra^*

A new Cerium molybdovandate (CeMo_xV_1-xO₄) has been synthesized, which depicts 50% enhancement in photo catalytic behavior compared to the commercial catalyst, Degussa (P-25). The compound crystallizes in a tetragonal zircon structure, space group I4₁/amd, with a = 7.3733(4) and c = 6.4909(4) and Z = 4. The crystal structure has been analyzed with powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Particle sizes are in the range of 200-300 nm as seen by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicates the formation of CeMo_xV_1-xO₄. Thermal analysis of this solid shows stability up to 1100C. Photocatalysis with respect to several organic compounds and dyes has been investigated both with UV and in sunlight. In accordance with the UV-Vis absorption spectra, the compound shows excellent properties under visible light as compared to UV irradiation. Experimental details related to water splitting and high temperature, high-pressure oxidative dehydrogenation of different organic compounds will be presented.