Synthesis and characterization of Y2O3 partially coated ZnO for highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethazine

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of ZnO powder partially coated with a nanometric layer of Y2O3 on the treatment of water contaminated with organic pollutants. In this approach, we successfully synthesized Y2O3-coated ZnO, and tested it on the degradation of sulfamethazine antibiotic (SMZ) under UV-visible irradiation. The prepared samples were characterized by TG-DTA analysis, X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement, and scanning electron microscope coupled with EDX analysis. The XRD measurement revealed that all prepared photocatalysts have a hexagonal ZnO structure, the average particle size is about 37 nm. The EDX analysis confirmed yttrium presence in the prepared materials with very good dispersion and homogeneity. The results prove that the partial coating with Y2O3 enhances the photocatalytic activity of ZnO, with almost complete degradation of SMZ whatever the pH of the reaction medium. The simple and easy product synthesis, and the remarkable properties allow the partial coating with Y2O3 to be considered as a very promising and innovative material to increase the photocatalytic activity. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.