Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag and Fe₂O₃ co-doped ZnO nanostructure under visible light irradiation

ABSTRACT

In this study, undoped ZnO and Ag\Fe₂O₃-doped ZnO nanostructures were successfully fabricated for photodegradation of Methyl Blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation. XRD patterns confirm appeared of Ag\Fe₂O₃ phases and polycrystalline structure of ZnO with a wurtzite hexagonal phase. EDX spectra compatible with XRD results and confirm appeared peaks energy of Ag, Fe₂O₃, ZnO elements. FESEM results showed agglomeration of irregularly shaped nanoparticles (NPs), decreasing with increasing doped concentration which leads to appearing of Nanorod, Nanosheet, and cluster of small NPs. UV-Visible spectra revealed Ag and Fe₂O₃ doped leads to  shift in ZnO spectra band and increased absorption in a visible light region. The photocatalytic activity showed significantly enhanced with degradation percentages 96.6%, 95.1%, 92.6%, and 92.7% for doped ZnO, as compared to 73.8% for undoped ZnO. This marked enhanced in photocatalytic activity attribute to increased hydrophilicity, surface area which can improve separation of charge carriers, and photogenerated efficiency.

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract of photocatalytic activity of Ag and Fe2O3 co-doped ZnO nanostructure

KEYWORDS:

• Photocatalyst
• heterostructure
• methyl blue
• ZnO
• Fe₂O₃
• Ag

Acknowledgments

This author is grateful for the financial support received for this work from (Department of physics/college of science/Mustansiriyah University/Baghdad/Iraq).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Mustansiriyah University [07812003995].