Synthesis and characterization of europium-doped zinc oxide photocatalyst

Abstract

Single crystalline flower-like ZnO and Eu-doped ZnO structures were successfully synthesized via a sonochemical method. Structures, morphologies, and photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized samples were determined using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized samples were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solutions under UV light. The photocatalytic results indicate that the as-synthesized Eu-doped ZnO shows good photocatalytic activity and could be considered as a promising photocatalyst for dye waste water treatment. © 2014 Anukorn Phuruangrat et al.