Nanoflower-like cerium-doped ZnO photocatalyst deposited by spray pyrolysis for the degradation of methylene blue dye
Materials Today Sustainability, vol.27, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 27
- Publication Date: 2024
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100875
- Journal Name: Materials Today Sustainability
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Keywords: Photocatalytic, Photoluminescence, Spray pyrolysis technique, ZnO:Ce
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
In this study, the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye and photocatalytic activities of pure ZnO and ZnO:Ce (2%, 4%, 6%, %8) films deposited with USP, an economical technique, were examined. The effect of Ce-doping on the optical, structural, surface and photocatalytic properties of the films was investigated using XRD, UV–Visible spectrophotometry, spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), photoluminescence spectrometry, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning microscope (FESEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). In the morphology analyzes of the films, a chrysanthemum-like nanoflower structure was observed as a result of Ce-doping. Photoluminescence spectra were taken in order to determine the trap levels formed in the structure of ZnO:Ce films to be used in photocatalytic applications. Consequently, the photocatalytic properties of ZnO:Ce films were found to vary significantly depending on the surface morphology of the photocatalyst and surface defects (zinc interstitial, oxygen vacancies).