Synthesis, Analysis and Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalysis of 0–5% Pr-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

Praseodymium (Pr) doped ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized by tartaric acid assisted combustion method and followed by calcination at 600°C for 2 h. The samples have been characterized by elemental analyzer, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In this research, the loaded Pr3+ ions have been incorporated into ZnO lattice. Upon increasing the content of Pr dopant, their particle-sizes have been decreased from 72.60 ± 22.92 nm for ZnO nanoparticles to 21.59 ± 5.70 nm for 5% Pr-doped ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activities of ZnO with and without Pr dopant have been also investigated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The 3% Pr-doped ZnO nanoparticles have the highest photocatalytic activity because Pr3+ ions as electron acceptors played the role in inhibiting the recombination of charge carriers. •O2− radical is the main active species used for degradation of MB and 3% Pr-doped ZnO nanoparticles are the promising oxide used for wastewater treatment.