Synthesis and characterization of highly efficient Gd doped ZnO photocatalyst irradiated with ultraviolet and visible radiations

Abstract

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Abstract Undoped ZnO and Gd doped ZnO nanostructures were successfully synthesized by a sonochemical method. Concentration effect of Gd dopant on the phase, morphology and photocatalytic activities was investigated. An XRD analyzer was used to reveal the as-synthesized 0-3 mol% Gd doped ZnO with hexagonal wurtzite structure. The SEM and TEM images show the nanorod-shaped products with their growth along the c axis. The photocatalytic activities of the as-synthesized products were determined by measuring the degradation of methylene blue under UV and visible light irradiations. In this research, the 3 mol% Gd doped ZnO performed the highest photocatalytic activity.