Preparation and photocatalytic properties of hexagonal-shaped ZnO:Sm~(3+) by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

摘要

Novel 3D rods ZnO:Sm monophasic micro-crystals have been synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method at 140 °C for 10 min. The experimental results revealed that concentration of samarium have a significant influence on the band gap and pho-tocatalysis. On the other hand, the samarium in the ZnO semiconductor structure increases photodegradation activity. ZnO sample doped with 8% Sm~(3+) exhibited the best activity in the photodegradation of methylene blue dye when compared to that doped with 0-4 mol%. Enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to samarium, which inhibits the recombination of electron-hole pairs.