Homogeneous Co-precipitation Method Research Articles

Reversible Negative Resistive Switching in an Individual Fe@Al2O3 Hybrid Nanotube for Nonvolatile Memory.

Hybrid nanostructures can show enormous potential in different areas because of their unique structural configurations. Herein, Fe@Al2O3 hybrid nanotubes are constructed via a homogeneous coprecipitation method followed by subsequent annealing in a reducing atmosphere. The introduction of zero band gap Fe nanocrystals in the wall of ultrawide band gap Al2O3 insulator nanotubes results in the formation of charge trap centers, and correspondingly a single hybrid nanotube-based two-terminal device can show reversible negative resistive switching (RS) characteristics with symmetrical negative differential resistance (NDR) at relatively high operation bias voltages. At a large bias voltage, holes and electrons can be injected into traps at two ends from electrodes, respectively, and then captured. The bias voltage dependence of asymmetrical filling of charges can lead to a reversible variation of built-in electromotive force, and therefore the symmetrical negative RS with NDR arises from two reversible back-to-back series bipolar RS. At a low readout voltage, the single Fe@Al2O3 hybrid nanotube can show an excellent nonvolatile memory feature with a relatively large switching ratio of ∼30. The bias-governed reversible negative RS with superior stability, reversibility, nondestructive readout, and remarkable cycle performance makes it a potential candidate in next-generation erasable nonvolatile resistive random access memories.

Influence of ammonium sulfate on YAG nanopowders and Yb:YAG ceramics synthesized by a novel homogeneous co-precipitation method

Homogeneous and dispersed Y3Al5O12 (yttrium aluminum garnet, YAG) nanopowders were synthesized via a homogeneous co-precipitation method from the mixed solutions of yttrium nitrate, aluminum nitrate and a small amount of ammonium sulfate using hot urea as the precipitant. The method has the superiorities that co-precipitation of cations is ensured and continuous decomposition of the hot urea is achieved to obtain the narrow size distribution particles. The addition of small amount of ammonium sulfate surfactant, although has no influence on YAG garnet phase formation, has significant effect on dispersion, particles distribution and sinterability of the resultant YAG and Yb:YAG powders. Compared with the undoped sample, the green body of Yb:YAG doped with ammonium sulfate has higher total shrinkage, linear shrinkage rate and relative density through sintering at 1600 °C. The resultant Yb:YAG powders can be sintered into transparent ceramics at 1700 °C through vacuum sintering. The influence of the sulfate ions on characteristics of the resultant powders was thoroughly studied.

Graft Gum Ghatti Caped Cu2O Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Naphthol Blue Black Dye

Photodecolorization of naphthol blue black dye through the use of Cu2O nanoparticles capped with a biopolymer matrix containing gum ghatti (Gg) grafted with acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AAm) (Cu2O/Gg–AAm–AA) has been studied. While the homogeneous co-precipitation method was adopted for the synthesis of the Cu2O nanoparticle, its incorporation into the biopolymer matrix (Gg–AAm–AA) was performed through the graft copolymerization method. The synthesized Cu2O and Cu2O/Gg–AAm–AA were characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopies, and BET surface area analysis. The photodecolorization experiment was performed using simulated ultraviolet and visible light irradiations, and these results compared with that of adsorption studies. The influence of pH, catalyst dose and dye concentration on the decolorization efficiency were also taken into consideration. The results revealed the Cu2O/Gg–AAm–AA to be an excellent photocatalyst for effective elimination of naphthol blue black dye from water. The process was observed to be pH dependent, with pH 6 being the optimum value. The photodecolorization process increased with increasing catalyst concentration but decreased beyond the optimum value of 0.3 g L−1. The process also decreased with increasing dye concentration. The result of the recyclability study indicates that the Cu2O/Gg–AAm–AA nanocomposite can be effectively recycled and re-used over a number cycles.

Luminescent and Magnetic α-Fe2O3@Y2O3:Eu3+ Bifunctional Hollow Microspheres for Drug Delivery

Fluorescent and magnetic bifunctional nanomaterials have found several applications in life sciences, including biological labeling, magnetic resonance imaging, gene therapy, and nanodrug delivery. In this work, we develop a facile route that combines the assisted-template approach with a homogeneous co-precipitation method and a high-temperature calcination process, allowing the successful preparation of fluorescent–magnetic α-Fe2O3@Y2O3:Eu3+ bifunctional hollow microspheres (BHMs) with mesoporous shells and hollow-core structures. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, emission spectroscopy, magnetic testing, and N2 adsorption techniques were employed to characterize the fluorescent–magnetic α-Fe2O3@Y2O3:Eu3+ BHMs. The results showed that the resulting BHMs exhibited uniformly spherical morphologies with mesoporous shells and hollow-core structures and were characterized by good dispersibility, photofluorescence, and magnetic responsiveness in solution. Ibuprofen loading and dru...

Characterization and synergetic antibacterial properties of ZnO and CeO2 supported by halloysite

A novel antibacterial nanocomposite, CeO2-ZnO/HNTs was prepared by a homogeneous co-precipitation method in ethanol solution. ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles with sizes of approximately 8 and 4nm, respectively, were dispersively precipitated onto the surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). HNTs served as a template for reducing the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles and improving the interface reactions between the nanocomposite and bacteria cells. CeO2 nanoparticles were introduced to suppress the recombination of electron-hole pairs, and narrow the energy gap of ZnO nanoparticles. The synergistic effects of ZnO, CeO2 nanoparticles and HNTs led to the superior antibacterial activity of the CeO2-ZnO/HNTs nanocomposite against gram-negative Escherichia coli.

Characteristic mechanisms controlling the reaction rate for powdered and industrial scale formed Cu/Zn/Mg/Al water gas shift nanocatalysts

In the present study, Cu/Zn/Mg/Al nanocatalysts were synthesized using the urea homogeneous co-precipitation method. The obtained powders were then formed in cylindrical (6 mm × 6 mm and 12 mm × 3 mm) shapes. The morphology and structure of powdered and formed catalysts were characterized, using XRD, SEM and BET analysis. The particle size of the powdered, 6 mm × 6 mm, and 12 mm × 3 mm catalyst samples were found as 30, 50–100 and more than 100 nm. The powdered and formed catalysts were subjected to water gas shift reactions in a fixed bed reactor. The limiting factors and their dominating conditions as a controller of reaction rate for CO conversion were analyzed employing Thiele modulus (Φ) and effectiveness factor (η) definitions. In this regard, the effects of the size and shape of the catalyst on reaction rate controller mechanism were investigated. Characterizing the Thiele modulus, it was found that pore diffusion could not be the reaction rate controller for the powdered type nanocatalyst under the studied temperatures (473–673 K). In contrast, the diffusion mechanism was the controlling factor of the reaction rate in 6 mm × 6 mm, and 12 mm × 3 mm formed catalysts at 673 and 623–673 K. The prediction model for 6 mm × 6 mm cylindrical catalyst was in good agreement with the experimental data. However, for the 12 mm × 3 mm catalyst, a deviation between the prediction and experimental values was observed. The latter result would be perhaps due to the side channeling of reactants between the large cylindrical catalysts.

Upconversion luminescence properties of Y2O2S:Er3+@Y2O2S:Yb3+,Tm3+ core-shell nanoparticles prepared via homogeneous co-precipitation

The Y2O2S:Er3+@Y2O2S:Yb3+,Tm3+ core-shell upconversion (UC) nanoparticles with average diameter of 95 nm were synthesized by the homogeneous co-precipitation method combining with the solid-gas sulfidation route. The increases of nanocrystaline size after the shell coating was observed both in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements. This indicates the composition homogeneity core-shell Y2O2S nanocrystals. Meanwhile, the luminescence of both the Er3+ and Tm3+ ions are realized for the first time in the novel core-shell Y2O2S:Er3+@Y2O2S:Yb3+,Tm3+ nanoparticles under the excitations of both 980 and 1550 nm. When excited by a 980 nm laser diode, the Y2O2S:Er3+@Y2O2S:Yb3+,Tm3+ phosphor exhibits blue (≈475 nm), green (≈548 nm) and red (≈670 nm) emissions in the visible region, which correspond to the 1G4 → 3H6 transition of Tm3+ions, 4S3/2, 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively. The very strong emission at the near infrared (NIR) region is mainly due to the 3H4 → 3H6 transition of Tm3+ ions. The emission from both of Er3+ and Tm3+ ions under 980 nm excitation reveals the energy transfers of Yb3+ → Tm3+ within the shell layer and Yb3+ → Er3+ between the shell and the core. When pumping at 1550 nm, although only Er3+ ions can efficiently absorb the excitation energy, the strong UC emissions from Tm3+ ions were also observed. This is owing to the energy transfer between the core and the shell through Er3+ → Yb3+ → Tm3+ ions.

Effect of sintering temperature on thermal stability of Zn0.2Fe1.05NiMn0.75O4 ceramic materials by homogeneous co-precipitation method

The Zn0.2Fe1.05NiMn0.75O4 ceramic materials with different sintering temperatures are synthesized by homogeneous co-precipitation method. The effects of different sintering temperatures on the structure, electrical properties and stability of the ceramic materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, electrical measurement and impedance analysis. The results show the ceramic powders calcined at 800 °C can form a single cubic spinel structure NiFe2O4 phase, which exhibits great stability at sintering temperature from 1150 to 1300 °C. The values of B25/50 constant, ρ25 and Ea of Zn0.2Fe1.05NiMn0.75O4 ceramic samples at different sintering temperatures are in the range of 3786–3881 K, 84–134 KΩ cm and 0.327–0.335 eV, respectively. The values of relative resistance drift (ΔR/R0) are in the range of 0.58–0.78 % and have a minimum at 1300 °C after aging test at 125 °C for 600 h. The Zn0.2Fe1.05NiMn0.75O4 ceramic materials are desirable for high stability thermistor applications.

Cobalt doped ZrO2 decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube: A promising nanocatalyst for photodegradation of indigo carmine and eosin Y dyes

This paper reports the degradation of indigo carmine and eosin Y dyes in water, catalyzed by cobalt and multiwalled carbon nanotube modified zirconium oxide nanocomposite (Co-ZrO2-MWCNTs) under simulated visible light. The bare ZrO2, ZrO2-MWCNTs, Co-ZrO2 and Co-ZrO2-MWCNTs with different percentage compositions of cobalt were synthesized by homogeneous co-precipitation method. Characterization of the prepared nanocomposites was carried out using X-Ray powder Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformer Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Raman Spectroscopy, (UV–Vis)-Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for their structure, formation, morphology, size and elemental analysis. The experimental results indicated that all the cobalt and MWCNTs modified nanocomposites demonstrated higher photocatalytic activities compared to the bare ZrO2. The most efficient catalyst (0.5% Co-ZrO2-MWCNTs) with the band gap and Ka values of 5.21eV and 16.86×10−3min−1 respectively exhibited 98% degradation efficiency toward indigo carmine and 87% toward eosin Y in 180min.

Effect of surfactant type on the synthesis of nanocrystalline MgAl 2 O 4 and its application as a support for Ni catalyst in the steam pre‐reforming of natural gas

Mesoporous nanocrystalline magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) particles with different surface area (70–230 m2 g−1) were synthesised via the homogeneous co-precipitation method using different surfactants (cationic, anionic and non-ionic). The obtained powders were used as the support to prepare 10.5 nickel (Ni)/MgAl2O4 catalysts, and the resulting samples were tested in the steam pre-reforming of natural gas. The obtained samples were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. Experimental results showed that the shape, surface area and porosity of MgAl2O4 particles were strongly dependent on the type of surfactants used. In addition, the Ni catalyst supported on the MgAl2O4 with the highest surface area exhibited the smallest size of Ni particles (14.1 nm). This catalyst has over 97% of ethane and propane conversions in steam pre-reforming of natural gas under atmospheric pressure, 550°C, low steam to carbon molar ratio (S/C = 1.5) and high gas hourly space velocity (GHSV = 100,000 ml g−1 catalysth−1).

Palladium-doped–ZrO2–multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite: an advanced photocatalyst for water treatment

The photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants from water using palladium-doped–zirconium oxide–multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Pd–ZrO2–MWCNTs) nanocomposites is presented. A series of Pd doped–ZrO2–MWCNTs nanocomposites with varying percentage compositions of Pd were prepared by the homogenous co-precipitation method. The photocatalytic applicability of the materials was investigated by the degradation of acid blue 40 dye in water under simulated solar light. The optical, morphological and structural properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated using X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, BET surface area analysis and (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The Pd–ZrO2–MWCNTs nanocomposites showed enhanced photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of the acid blue 40 dye under visible light compared with bare ZrO2 and ZrO2–MWCNTs alone. The remarkable photocatalytic activity of Pd–ZrO2–MWCNTs nanocomposites in the visible light makes it an ideal photocatalyst for the removal of organic pollutants in water. The 0.5 % Pd–ZrO2–MWCNT was the most efficient photocatalyst with 98 % degradation after 3 h with corresponding K a and band gap values of 16.8 × 10−3 m−1 and 2.79 eV, respectively.

Chitosan–sodium alginate encapsulated Co-doped ZrO2–MWCNTs nanocomposites for photocatalytic decolorization of organic dyes

Photocatalytic decolorization properties of cobalt doped-ZrO2-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs) and chitosan–sodium alginate encapsulated Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs (CS/Alg–Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs) with varying weight percentage of Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs are presented in this research paper. The Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs was first synthesized through homogenous co-precipitation method and introduced into the chitosan–sodium sodium alginate (CS/Alg) biopolymer matrix. The bio-nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, (UV–Vis)-spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to obtain information on their structure, formation, morphology, size and elemental analysis. The photodecolorization efficiency of the samples was determined through their decolorization of trypan blue dye aqueous solution in 180 min. Recyclability of the catalysts was also assessed. The bio-nanocomposites experienced reduced band gap values with subsequent improvement in visible light activity compared to the uncapped Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs. All the CS/Alg–Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs exhibited higher photodecolorization activities than the uncapped Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs. The most efficient catalyst (CS/Alg–40 % Co–ZrO2–MWCNTs) with a band gap of 2.56 eV displayed 94 % decolorization efficiency of the dye. Though reusability of the catalyst is significant, its efficiency diminished consistently after each cycle.

Magnetic Nanoparticles Obtained by Homogeneous Coprecipitation Sonochemically Assisted

The present work demonstrates preparation of magnetic nanoparticles by a novel method. Magnetic nanoparticles with potential for biomedical and environmental applications were obtained by homogeneous coprecipitation method sonochemically assisted. The effect of ultrasonic cavitation on changing the reaction environment was studied. The chemical reaction media used here was very similar to those used for Sono-Fenton process. The ultrasonic energy has driven the growth of particles; smaller diameter nanoparticles were obtained by applying a higher power. For the first time, it was demonstrated the iron oxide nanoparticles synthesis at pH lower than 6.

Hierarchical Nanostructured ZnO-CuO Nanocomposite and its Photocatalytic Activity

Metal oxide nanocomposite (ZnO-CuO) was successfully synthesized by one step homogeneous coprecipitation method and further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron micrograph (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra. XRD analysis exhibited presence of pure copper oxide and zinc oxide within the nanocomposite. SEM analysis indicated that the ZnO-CuO nanocomposite was consisted of flower shaped ZnO along with leaf shaped CuO. Photocatalytic activity of nanocomposite was evaluated in terms of degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye solution under ultra-violet radiation. Results showed that the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO-CuO nanocomposite was higher than its individual pure oxides (ZnO or CuO).

Water decontamination via the removal of Pb (II) using a new generation of highly energetic surface nano-material: Co+2Mo+6 LDH

CoMo(CO32−) layered double hydroxide of a highly energetic surface, as a new LDH consisting of divalent and hexavalent cations (M+2/M+6-LDH), was prepared by a homogeneous co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the prepared material was confirmed by several analytical techniques namely; X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The highly energetic surface of the prepared LDH was demonstrated via the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface energy is due to the formation of +4 surface charges in the brucite layer between Co+2 and Mo+6. The prepared LDH was applied as a novel adsorbent for the removal of Pb (II) from its aqueous solution at different experimental conditions of time, temperature and initial Pb (II) concentrations. The change of the Pb (II) concentrations; due to adsorption, was monitored by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The maximum uptake of Pb (II) by the Co Mo LDH was (73.4mg/g) at 298K. The Pb (II) adsorption was found to follow Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second order model. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The interference of other cations on the removal of the Pb (II) was studied. Na+ and K+ were found to increase the adsorption capacity of the Co Mo LDH toward Pb (II) while it was slightly decreased by the presence of Mn+2 and Cu+2. The synthesized LDH showed a great degree of recoverability (7 times) while completely conserving its parental morphology and adsorption capacity. The mechanism of the lead ions removal had exhibited more reliability through a surface adsorption by the coordination between the Mo+6 of the brucite layers and the oxygen atoms of the nitrates counter ions.

Enhanced activity of tungsten doped CeAlOX catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3

A series of tungsten modified CeAlOx catalysts prepared by the homogeneous co-precipitation method were used for the selective catalytic reduction NOx with NH3. The activity evaluation results exhibited that the activity of CeAlOx was enhanced by the addition of tungsten, and the CeWAlOx catalyst also showed high resistance to SO2 and H2O poisoning at 300 °C. The BET analysis results showed that the total pore volume and the average pore diameter of the CeAlOx catalyst was improved by the addition of WO3.The NH3-TPD, in situ DRIFTS, H2-TPR and XPS characterization results displayed that the introduction of tungsten could enhance the amount of acid sites, the adsorbability to the NH3, the redox ability and the amount of oxygen vacancies, which should be the critical factors for the CeWAlOx catalyst to achieve high NH3-SCR performance.

Understanding the capacity enhancement of Fe3O4/semi exfoliated graphite oxide thru the solvent-EC: DEC reinforcement for lithium ion battery anode

The lithium ion battery electrolytic solvent, ethylene carbonate:di ethylene carbonate (EC:DEC), influences the exfoliation of semi exfoliated graphite oxide (srGO) further, to promote the better disperstion of Fe3O4 and to enhance the material performance. The composite, semi exfoliated reduced graphite oxide-Magnetite (srGO–Fe3O4) has been prepared using homogeneous co-precipitation method with the aid of microwave oven. The microwave has been introduced to reduce GO and improve the interstitial crystallisation of Fe3O4. srGO–Fe3O4 composite material has been subjected to structural and electrochemical characterization to evaluate their structure and aptness as a possible anode material for lithium ion batteries. srGO–Fe3O4 composite in the 1st cycle demonstrate a better charge capacity of ∼994 mAhg−1 at 75 mA g−1 in the potential range 0.01–3.0 V. Besides, interestingly the cyclability at higher rate (300 mA g−1) is encouraging and demonstrates increased in capacity than the initial over the studied 100 cycles. Thereby, providing proof for the exfoliation driven by EC:DEC in graphitic lamella and by assisting in the expansion of its reaction sites for the better insertion and desersion of lithium ion during cycling. This exfoliation and distribution of particles over srGO matrix has made evident from the FESEM images and Raman shift analysed for the cycled electrode.

Mesostructured Cu–Mn–Ce–O composites with homogeneous bulk composition for chlorobenzene removal: Catalytic performance and microactivation course

Cu–Mn–Ce–O composites with enhanced surface area and developed mesoporosity were synthesized using a homogeneous coprecipitation (hcp) method, and were tested in the catalytic destruction of chlorobenzene (CB). X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), temperature programmed desorption of CB/O2 (CB/O2-TPD), and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (DRUV-Vis) were used to characterize the structure and textural properties of catalysts. Mn and Cu enter CeO2 matrix with a fluorite-like structure, and produce large amounts of oxygen vacancies. Addition of manganese promotes the formation of reduced copper phase, and the presence of large numbers of high valence Mn4+ ions strongly enhances the redox couple of Cu+–Cu2+ in the composites. Both the synthesis protocol and metal doping amount significantly affect the catalyst reducibility, surface state and oxygen density. Cu0.15Mn0.15Ce0.85Ox synthesized via the hcp method exhibits the highest catalytic activity with 90% of chlorobenzene destructed at 255 °C (CO2 selectivity > 99.5%). Enriched surface oxygen, excellent active oxygen mobility and CB adsorption ability guarantee the superior activity and stability of Cu–Mn–Ce–O composite catalysts. Nucleophilic and electrophilic substitutions happen in sequence during chlorobenzene destruction, and the adsorbed Cl can be finally removed in the form of Cl2 via the Deacon reaction. Furthermore, the incorporation of CuO and MnOx phases can inhibit the formation of organic byproducts, such as phenolates, maleates, and o-benzoquinone-type species, especially at elevated reaction temperatures.

Temperature Effect on Hydroxyapatite Preparation by Co-precipitation Method under Carbamide Influence

Hydroxyapatite crystal was prepared by homogeneous co-precipitation method using a mixture of Calcium nitrate and diammonium phosphate as raw materials and carbamide as the buffering agent. To analyzed the influence of temperature on hydroxyapatite crystal morphology, the phase composition, crystal morphology and growth orientation were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and infrared spectrum respectively. The results show that when the reaction temperature increase from 70 °C to 95 °C, the phases composition of crystal transform from the two phases of tricalcium phosphate and eight calcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite single crystal; the morphology of the hydroxyapatite crystals transforms from nodular whisker to perfectly and compactly acicular whisker.

Gd,C,N,S Multi-doped ZrO2 for Photocatalytic Degradation of Indigo Carmine Dye from Synthetic Water under Simulated Solar Light

C, N,S-tridoped ZrO2 and Gd, C, N, S-muti-element-doped ZrO2 were synthesized by homogeneous co-precipitation method with different Gd/Zr ratios. The materials were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and UV/Visible spectrometry. UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band gap energies. Indigo carmine (IC) dye (20ppm) was chosen as a model for organic pollutants and was used to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the photocatalysts under simulated solar light. The Gd-doped C,N,S-ZrO2 showed significant visible light induced photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of IC. Highest photocatalytic activity was observed for the 0.6% Gd-doped C,N,S-ZrO2 sample (k=1.46 x 10-2 min-1). The high photocatalytic performance is due to small crystalline size, strong visible light absorption and narrow band gap.