Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under UV irradiation in the presence of synthesized PVP capped pure and gadolinium doped ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

The present study focuses on the development of efficient nanophotocatalysts (pure and Gadolinium doped Zinc oxide) for the degradation of methyl orange dye in polluted water. Chemical co-precipitation technique was employed for the synthesis of target compounds using zinc acetate and gadolinium nitrate as metal precursors. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques namely X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform infra red spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The synthesized pure and Gadolinium doped Zinc oxide nanoparticles were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of methyl orange dye under ultra-violet light irradiation. Doping of ZnO nanoparticles with Gadolinium has greatly increased its catalytic efficiency.