Synthesis, characterization, photocatalytic application of Gd/K co‐doped ZnO

Abstract In this paper, we introduce the synthesis of undoped ZnO and 5 wt % Gd/K co‐doped ZnO compounds to improve photocatalytic activity. Undoped ZnO particles and Gd/K co‐doped ZnO particles were synthesized by the sol‐gel method. The samples were studied by X‐ Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), Ultraviolet Visible Spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and particle size analysis. Then tehir photocatalytic activities were tested. SEM micrographs showed that the particle size was in the sub‐micrometer or nanometer range. Particle size analysis revealed that the mean size was closer to the micrometer range. The specific surface area of the powder was obtained quite low in accordance with the larger particle size. The photocatalytic activity of 5% Gd/K co‐doped ZnO was compared with undoped ZnO in the degradation methyl blue. When their photocatalytic activities were examined, Gd/K co‐doped ZnO showed ∼66% degradation at 60 min, while undoped ZnO showed ∼52% degradation at the same time.