Photocatalytic degradation of reactive brilliant blue X-BR with La³⁺, Al³⁺ Co-doped ZnO nano-particles

Nanoparticles of ZnO doped with La³⁺, Al³⁺, co-doped with La³⁺ and Al³⁺ were prepared by the sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscope(HRTEM) and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of different ZnO particles was studied using ultraviolet lamp as illumination device and reactive brilliant blue X-BR as stimulant pollutant. The highest photoactivity was obtained at optimal concentration (2 at% La³⁺ and 3 at% Al³⁺). The degradation rate of reactive brilliant blue X-BR could get to 96.63% in 45 min at room temperature under the concentration of catalyst was 0.1g/L.