The influence of Yb, N and F-doped Er3+:Y3Al5O12 on solar light photocatalytic activity of TiO2 for degradation of organic dyes

In this paper, several Yb, N and F-doped up-conversion luminescence agents, Er3+:Y3Al5O12, Er3+:YbnY3-nAl5O12, Er3+:Y3Al5NxO12-x, Er3+:Y3Al5Fy,O12-y and Er3+:YbnY3-nAl5NxFyO12-x-y, were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method and then their corresponding photocatalysts, Er3+:Y3Al5O12/TiO2, Er3+:YbnY3-nAl5O12/TiO2, Er3+ :Y3Al5NxO12-x/TiO2, Er3+:Y(3)Al(5)FyO(12-y)/TiO2 and Er3+:YbnY3-nAl5NxFyO12-x-y/TiO2, were prepared by sol-gel coated method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-vis spectrometer and fluorescence spectrophotometer were used to examine the visible absorption and ultraviolet emission spectra of Yb. N and F-doped up-conversion luminescence agents. Then, the photocatalytic activities of prepared catalysts were reviewed through the degradation of Acid Red B dye in aqueous solution under solar light irradiation. The influences of critical conditions such as doping amount, photocatalyst dose and initial concentration of Acid Red B were studied. In order to check the extensive performance, different organic dyes were used to be degraded by using the same prepared catalysts. In conclusion, Er3+:Yb0.3Y2.7Al5N0.01 F0.10O11.98/TiO2 displays highest photocatalytic activity. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.