Microwave-assisted synthesis of ZnO–Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ composites with enhanced visible light photocatalysis

Abstract

ZnO-Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3+ composites were successfully synthesized via a microwave-assisted reaction of the ZnO precursor with a Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3+ suspension using a microwave synthesis system. The morphology, structure and photocatalytic performance in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrophotometer, and UV-vis absorption spectrophotometer. The results show that the introduction of Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3+ can enhance the photocatalytic performance of ZnO with a maximum MB degradation rate of 93% under visible light irradiation compared with pure ZnO (13%) mainly due to the light down-converting effect of Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3+ , which facilitates the self-sensitized destruction of MB.

Enhancement of visible light photocatalytic activity of Ag2O/F-TiO2 composites

“…It is observed that the AT composites exhibit higher absorbance in the visible light region and the intensity increases with the increase of Ag 2 O content, which is similar to those reported in the literatures [29,47]. Such an enhancement of light absorption is beneficial to the increase of photo-generated electrons and holes [43,48,49].…”

“…8 shows the typical Nyquist plots of F-TiO 2 , T1, T2 and T3. The semicircle in the EIS spectra is due to the contribution from the charge transfer resistance (R ct ) and constant phase element (CPE) at the photocatalyst/electrolyte interface [48,49]. The corresponding equivalent circuit is shown in the inset of Fig.…”

MoSe2/ZnO/ZnSe hybrids for efficient Cr(VI) reduction under visible light irradiation

“…It is found that with increasing Na2MoO4 amount, the charge transfer resistance first decreases and then increases, confirming that the appropriate MoSe2 content can facilitate the transfer and prolong the charge carrier lifetime, thereby enhancing the catalytic activity. Excessive MoSe2 recombination centers in the ZM hybrids facilitate charge recombination, thus leading to decreased photocatalytic activity [61][62][63]. Moreover, the charge separation and transfer behaviors of the as-prepared samples were investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and photoelectrochemical measurements.…”

ZnIn2S4 flowerlike microspheres embedded with carbon quantum dots for efficient photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)

“…If the conduction band (CB) of the photocatalyst is more negative than the Cr(VI)/Cr(III) potential (0.51 V vs. NHE [9]), Cr(VI) can be reduced to Cr(III) by the photoinduced electrons. Various photocatalysts, such as metal oxides, transition metal dichalcogenides, oxynitrides, metal-organic frameworks, perovskites, and elemental semiconductors, have been investigated for Cr(VI) reduction [10][11][12]. However, their catalytic activities are restricted by narrow light absorption ranges and the rapid recombination of charge carriers.…”