Preparation of Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO composite and investigation on solar light photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

Abstract

The Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO composite, a new photocatalyst which could effectively utilize visible light, was prepared. In succession, the Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO was characterized by XRD and SEM, respectively. Acid Red B dyes, was degraded under solar light irradiation to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO. In addition, the effects of Er3+:YAlO3 content, heat-treatment temperature and time on the photocatalytic activity of Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO were reviewed. Otherwise, the effect of initial dye concentration, Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO amount and solar light irradiation time on the photocatalytic degradation of Acid Red B were also investigated. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO is much higher than that of Fe-doped ZnO and pure ZnO for the similar system. Perhaps, the use of the Er3+:YAlO3/Fe-doped ZnO may provide a new way to take advantage of ZnO in sewage treatment aspects using solar energy.