STRUCTURE, OPTICAL PROPERTIES AND PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF UNDOPED, Y2O3-DOPED ZnO NANOCOMPOSITES

Y-doped ZnO nanocomposites with different content of Y2O3 (1-5 %) were obtained by the Pechini method from their nitrate solutions. The solutions of Zn2+ and Y3+ nitrates were preliminary obtained by dissolving of zinc and yttrium oxides with a content of the main component of 99.99% in nitric acid. The influence of yttrium doping the on the microstructure, morphology, optical properties and photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanopowders were examined. The properties of the nanopowders were studied by using X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The samples were subjected to X-ray powder diffraction using a DRON-3 diffractometer (Cu-Koc radiation) at room temperature. X-ray phase analysis confirms the formation of single phase of Y2O3-doped ZnO powders on diffractograms. According to SEM results, the powders characterized a conglomerate structure. The undoped ZnO has an average particle size of 43 nm, while the average particle size of Y3+-doped ZnO ranges from 63 to 79 nm. It was established that the morphology of powder particles primarily depends on the content of Y3+ in the material. Raman scattering measurements indicate that ZnO samples doped with Y2O3 have an intense and clearly expressed A1TO mode, which may be related to the deformation of the powder granules. In the photoluminescence spectra of ZnO powders, with increasing Y2O3 concentration, bands at 400 nm are observed due to the appearance of impurities that cause of interstitial zinc and zinc vacancy defects and their broadening with a shift to the long-wave region. Photocatalytic properties of ZnO powders doped with yttrium oxide were investigated using Methyl Orange as a model dye under Osram Ultra-Vitalux lamp (300 W) irradiation. A present result indicates that the obtained powders are potential candidate for the practical application in photocatalysis.