Effective photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol using La-doped ZnO photocatalyst under visible light irradiation
Highlights: • La doping enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZnO under visible light irradiation. • The 1.0 wt% La-doped ZnO was optimal for enhancing photocatalytic activity. • 99% APAP was degraded and 85% TOC was removed under visible light irradiation. • A detail photodegradation pathways were proposed using identified intermediates. - Abstract: Visible light-driven photocatalysts of lanthanum (La) doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a facile precipitation method using various La doping concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%). La doping did not modify the crystallinity of ZnO significantly, but enhanced the optical absorption of visible light due to the reduction in particle size and band gap energy. La-doped ZnO photocatalysts were applied to treat 100 mg/L paracetamol in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation after 3 h. 1.0 wt% La-doped ZnO photocatalyst showed the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation of paracetamol with a degradation efficiency of 99% and TOC removal of 85%. Based on the chemical analysis of photocatalytic products detected, proposed mechanism for paracetamol removal by La-doped ZnO nanoparticles under visible light illumination including radical generation with use of photocatalytic degradation and subsequent reaction pathways was proposed.
- OSTI ID:
- 22730516
- Journal Information:
- Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Journal Issue: Part 3 Vol. 96; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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