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Synthesis of Er3+:Y3Al5O12 and its effects on the solar light photocatalytic activity of TiO2–ZrO2 composite

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Abstract

The Er3+:Y3Al5O12 as an upconversion luminescence agent, which can transform visible light into ultraviolet light, was synthesized by nitrate–citrate acid and calcined method. Then, a novel photocatalyst, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2–ZrO2, was prepared using ultrasonic dispersion and liquid boiling method. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In succession, the degradation process of organic dye was monitored by UV–Vis spectrum and ion chromatography for verifying the photocatalytic activity of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2–ZrO2. The influences on its photocatalytic activity such as Ti/Zr molar ratio, heat-treated temperature, and time were studied. In addition, the influences of initial concentration, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2–ZrO2 amount, solar light irradiation time, and organic dye category on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency were also investigated. It was found the photocatalytic activity of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2–ZrO2 was superior to Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2 and Er3+:Y3Al5O12/ZrO2. Therefore, the Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2–ZrO2 is a useful photocatalytic material for the wastewater treatment duo to efficient utilization of solar light.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly acknowledge the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Liaoning Province Natural Science Foundation of Education Department, Liaoning Province Natural Science Foundation of Science and Technology Department and Liaoning University “211” Engineering Construction Foundation for financial support. The authors also thank our colleagues and other students for their participating in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, People’s Republic of China

    Linuan Yin, Jingqun Gao, Jun Wang, Xiaoyu Luan, Pingli Kang, Ying Li, Kai Li & Xiangdong Zhang

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  1. Linuan Yin
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  2. Jingqun Gao
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  3. Jun Wang
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  4. Xiaoyu Luan
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  8. Xiangdong Zhang
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Correspondence to Jun Wang.

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Yin, L., Gao, J., Wang, J. et al. Synthesis of Er3+:Y3Al5O12 and its effects on the solar light photocatalytic activity of TiO2–ZrO2 composite. Res Chem Intermed 38, 523–536 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-011-0368-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-011-0368-x

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