An efficient and environmentally friendly combustion technique was employed to produce ZnO nanopowders with different Eu concentrations (from 0.001 g to 5 g). The structural morphology of the Eu2O3-ZnO nanocomposites was examined using XRD, SEM, and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In addition, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was also used to investigate the effects of europium (Eu) dopant on the optical behaviors and energy bandgaps of nano-complex oxides. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of phenol and methylene blue was investigated using all the prepared Eu2O3-ZnO nanostructured samples. Photocatalytic effectiveness increased when europium (Eu) doping ratios increased. After adding moderate Eu, more hydroxyl radicals were generated over ZnO. The best photocatalyst for phenol degradation was 1 percent Eu2O3-ZnO, while it was 0.5 percent Eu2O3-ZnO for methylene blue solutions. The obtained Eu2O3-doped ZnO nanostructured materials are considered innovative, promising candidates for a wide range of nano-applications, including biomedical and photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and phenol.
In this proposed study, Erbium (Er3+)-doped ZnO nanocomposites were prepared through the effective, basic, and green combustion method. The significant effects of Er-dopants on the structural, morphological features, dielectric and optical behaviors of the pure ZnO matrix as well as Er2O3–ZnO nanostructured materials were investigated applying X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectrophotometer techniques. These results showed that the synthesized Er2O3–ZnO nanocomposites are well polycrystalline. The Er2O3–ZnO nanocomposites are almost uniformly distributed on the surface morphologies. Furthermore, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, AC electrical conductivity, and dielectric properties' current-voltage characteristics were utilized to examine the influence of erbium-doping on the optical properties, energy bandgaps of the proposed Er2O3–ZnO nanostructured powder. The tested nano-samples were applied for the visible light photodegradation of p-chlorophenol (4-CP) and p-nitrophenol (4-NP). The Er-doped ZnO ratio affects the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO matrix. This current research substantiated that more than 99.5% of 4-CP and 4-NP were photodegraded through 30 min of irradiation. Four times, the Er: ZnO nanocatalysts were used and still displayed an efficiency of more than 96.5% for 4-CP and 4-NP degradations in the specified period = 30 min. The as-prepared Er2O3-ZnO nanostructured are considered novel potential candidates in broad nano-applications from visible photocatalytic degradation of waste pollutants to the electronic varistor devices.
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