Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of Na+ co-doped CaTiO3:Eu3+ photocatalysts for methylene blue degradation

摘要

The Na+ co-doped CaTiO3:Eu3+ powders were produced through the solution combustion method. The phase structure and optical properties of the synthesized samples were adequately characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) diffuse reflection spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD patterns revealed that a low level of Eu3+ doping could not cause lattice distortion of CaTiO3. Photoluminescence (PL) displayed the CaTiO3:0.5% Eu3+ sample synthesized at 900 degrees C has the weakest PL emission and the low electrons and holes recombination rate. The morphology of the sample was small nanoscale spherical particles. The UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra proved that doping Na+ and Eu3+ enlarged the absorption region and reduced band energy of pure CaTiO3. The photocatalytic properties of Na+ co-doped CaTiO3:Eu3+ samples were investigated via degrading methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet light irradiation. The CaTiO3:0.5% Eu3+, 0.5% Na+ sample, by contrast, exhibited the greatest photocatalytic property and the degradation rate was as high as 96.62%, which makes it a promising multi-functional material (photocatalytic material and red phosphor) for decreasing organic pollution in water.