Synthesis and photocatalytic performances of Al and Ce co-doped ZnO powders

(Zn0.97-xCe0.03AlxO, x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10) powders have been prepared by a sol-gel method, and their structural, morphology and photocatalytic activities have been investigated. The obtained powders analyses by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis.). Their photodegradation efficiencies for methylene blue and rhodamine B dye aqueous solutions under Xenon lamp light irradiation were investigated in detail. The results show that with the increase concentration of the main group metal Al, photocatalytic activity of Al and Ce co-doped ZnO was increased, and the total degradation rate is close to a function distribution with time, the photocatalytic reaction occurs rapidly and obviously it is the good photocatalytic material. © 2018, National Institute of Optoelectronics. All rights reseved.