Characterization of Visible-Light-Driven ZnO and Ce/Al Codoped ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Coprecipitation Method

Visible-light-driven ZnO and Zn0.97CexAl0.03 – xO nanoparticles (x = 0.01, 0.0°15 and 0.02) for methylene blue (MB) degradation were prepared by co-precipitation method using tartaric acid as a fuel and chelating complex with the following calcination at 600°C for 4 h. The visible-light-driven nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and UV-visible spectroscopy. The Ce/Al co-doped ZnO samples were hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phase with average particle size below 50 nm. The Ce/Al co-dopants played the role in inhibiting the growth rate of ZnO nanoparticles. UV–visible absorption of Ce/Al co-doped ZnO nanoparticles was red-shift with respect to that of pure ZnO nanoparticles. The Zn0.97Ce0.02Al0.01O nanoparticles were excellently reusable and stable for MB degradation under visible light irradiation and were the promising candidate in practical application, including •OH and • $${\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }$$ are the main active radicals.