Implementation of ZnSnO3 nanosheets and their RE (Er, Eu, and Pr) materials: Enhanced photocatalytic activity

ZnSnO3, ZnSnO3@Er, ZnSnO3@Eu, and ZnSnO3@Pr materials were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, these active materials characterized by XRD, Raman, DRS-UV, FT-IR, BET surface areas and Scanning electron microscopy studies. The ZnSnO3 nanosheets meta-stable form was confirmed by XRD. Here, addressing to the pure and doped materials functional groups were evaluated by FT-IR spectroscopy. ZnSnO3, ZnSnO3@Er, ZnSnO3@Eu, and ZnSnO3@Pr rotational vibrations frequency modes were predicted by the Raman spectroscopy. Our results are marvelously, the obtained bandgap energies at 3.5 eV for pure sample and ZnSnO3@Er, ZnSnO3@Eu and ZnSnO3@Pr energies at 3.06 eV, 3.04 eV and 3.02 eV. The synthesized pure samples get a sheet-like morphology and doped for RE metals than morphology was changing for nanocubes. We assess for all samples that were focused on photocatalytic dye degradation for Methylene blue dye; hence, we are discussing these approaches, ZnSnO3@Pr/Methylene blue sample was a great improvement and high decolorization efficiency compared with ZnSnO3@Er, ZnSnO3@Eu nanocubes. The ZnSnO3@Pr sample surface area was investigated by BET analysis. In addition, we are testing the phenol degradation with wastewater. The ZnSnO3@Er, ZnSnO3@Eu catalysts were determined to the less efficiency when comparing to the ZnSnO3@Pr material. The ZnSnO3@Pr material results have more efficiency and a very good recyclable stability nature. (C) 2020 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V.