Synthesis and Characterization of Europium‐Doped Zinc Oxide Photocatalyst

Single crystalline flower‐like ZnO and Eu‐doped ZnO structures were successfully synthesized via a sonochemical method. Structures, morphologies, and photocatalytic activities of the as‐synthesized samples were determined using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the as‐synthesized samples were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solutions under UV light. The photocatalytic results indicate that the as‐synthesized Eu‐doped ZnO shows good photocatalytic activity and could be considered as a promising photocatalyst for dye waste water treatment.