Influence of rare-earth metal on the zinc oxide nanostructures: application in the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and p-nitro phenol

Abstract

Rare-earth cerium (Ce)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) spherical nanoparticles were synthesized by using the co-precipitation method. The doped materials were characterized by means of the X-ray diffraction, Williamson-Hall Plot, and field emission scanning electron microscopy analyses. The prepared nanoparticles exhibit a hexagonal wurtzite structure as observed from the XRD measurements. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy data confirmed the purity of the prepared samples. The photocatalytic activity of the rare-earth Ce-doped ZnO spherical nanoparticles was investigated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and p-nitrophenol (PNP) solution under UV light radiation. Among the different amounts of dopant, 5 mole% Ce-doped ZnO nanoparticles showed the highest degradation with UV light radiation for both MB dye and PNP solution. The particle size, morphology, and separation of the photo-induced electron–hole pair are the main factors that influence photocatalytic activity. The probable mechanisms of photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of MB and PNP are also explained by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis.

Dual functional novel catalytic Cu1−xZrxFe2O4 (x=0, 0.5, 1) nanoparticles for synthesis of polysubstituted pyridines and sunlight‐driven degradation of methylene blue

“…Other peaks were observed corresponding to the degraded products of the dye. The peaks obtained at m / z 319, 303, 279, 269, 216, 192 and 135 were attributed to the fragmented ions which were fully matched with earlier reports . In addition to these peaks, numerous peaks of insignificant intensity were also present in the spectrum (Figure b) which indicated that most of the MB molecules have been mineralized.…”

ZnO-SiO2 and Zn2SiO4 Synthesis Utilizing Oil Palm Leaves for Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye in Aqueous Solution

“…The active species, including OH•, O2-• and h + react in situ with MB to form certain intermediate compounds as proposed by other reported results [32]. Furthermore, some possible intermediates such as N,N-dimethyl-paraphenylenediamine and 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene were identified when MB was attacked by OH•, O2-• and h + species [33], and subsequently converted to carbon dioxides and water by ring opening reactions.…”

Integrating Photocatalysis and Microfiltration for Methylene Blue Degradation: Kinetics and Cost Estimation

“…4. The molecular ion peak at m / z of 284 confirmed the existence of the MB molecule 34. The m / z peaks of mass spectra at 270 (one methyl group left) and 256 (two methyl groups left) corresponded to the ratios of m / z of the demethylation.…”