STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF Er3+ DOPED ZrO2/CuO FOR PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF METHYLENE BLUE UNDER VISIBLE LIGHT

Abstract

Wastewater pollution containing organic pigments that are difficult to decompose is a global problem, and the photocatalytic method is currently a superior method. However, current photocatalytic materials are mainly active when illuminated by UV radiation. In this study, Er³⁺-doped ZrO₂/CuO nanocomposite materials were synthesized by co-precipitation method, with photocatalytic activity under visible light. Characteristics of ZrO₂/CuO:Er³⁺ were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). The obtained ZrO₂/CuO:Er³⁺ nanocomposite particles have an average diameter of about 12 - 14 nm. XRD shows that ZrO₂ forms tetragonal phase, CuO forms monoclinic phase. The photocatalytic properties of the material under simulated sunlight degradation 95% of methylene blue (20 mg.L⁻¹) in 210 minutes with a degradation constant of k_app = 6.87×10⁻³ min⁻¹. Research shows that Er³⁺-doped ZrO₂/CuO nano composite materials have potential applications in the field of textile wastewater treatment and wastewater pollution treatment with sunlight.