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Preparation of Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 ‐ZnO composite and application of solar energy in photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes
Author(s) -
Yin Linuan,
Li Ying,
Wang Jun,
Zhai Yu,
Wang Jian,
Kong Yumei,
Wang Baoxin,
Zhang Xiangdong
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
environmental progress and sustainable energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.495
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1944-7450
pISSN - 1944-7442
DOI - 10.1002/ep.11688
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , scanning electron microscope , visible spectrum , composite number , nuclear chemistry , photon upconversion , irradiation , luminescence , chemical engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , composite material , catalysis , chemistry , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , physics , nuclear physics , engineering
The Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 , which is able to transform the visible light from solar light into ultraviolet light as an upconversion luminescence agent, was prepared by nitrate‐citrate acid and heat‐treated method. And then, a novel photocatalyst, Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 ‐ZnO composite, which could effectively utilize the solar energy, was synthesized by ultrasonic dispersion and liquids boil method. In succession, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the structural morphology of the Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 ‐ZnO composite. And the degradation performances were also tested by UV‐vis spectrum and Ion chromatograph. To inspect the photocatalytic activity of Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 ‐ZnO composite, the Azo Fuchsine dye as target organic pollutant was degraded under solar light irradiation. The key impact parameters on the photocatalytic activity of Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 ‐ZnO such as Ti/Zn molar ratio, heat‐treated temperature and heat‐treated time were studied. Otherwise, the effects of dye initial concentration, Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 ‐ZnO, solar light irradiation time and other organic dyes were also investigated. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 ‐ZnO composite was superior to TiO 2 ‐ZnO powder in the similar system. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 697–704, 2013