Phyto‐Mediated Synthesis of CeO ₂ ‐PbO Nanostructures Using <i>Lantana camara</i> Extract for Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dye

ABSTRACT This study utilizes experimental design methodology to effectively model and optimize the photocatalytic degradation process of methyl orange (MO) dye, using cerium‐lead oxide (CeO 2 ‐PbO) bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) as catalyst. CeO 2 ‐PbO BNPs were prepared using Lantana Camara extract that act as a capping and stabilizing agent. The formation of CeO 2 ‐PbO BNPs was indicated by visible change in color from yellowish golden to dark brown and characteristic absorbance peaks in UV–vis spectra at 236 and 326 nm for lead and cerium, respectively. FTIR spectra revealed that plant phytochemicals play a vital role in the green fabrication of BNPs. The structural properties of the green photocatalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). These CeO 2 ‐PbO BNPs demonstrated remarkable photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 89% degradation of MO under sunlight. The mechanism involved enhanced charge transfer and suppressed electron‐hole recombination, generating reactive species that efficiently degraded MO. This study highlights the effectiveness of using green synthesis approaches for creating efficient nano‐catalysts with significant potential for environmental remediation and sustainable industrial processes.