Preparation and photocatalytic properties of visible light-driven samarium-doped ZnO nanorods

Samarium-doped ZnO nanorods (Sm/ZNRs) were newly synthesized via a facile and surfactant-free solvothermal method. The as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) together with an energy dispersion X-ray spectrum (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The XRD and EDX results revealed that Sm ion was successfully doped into ZNRs. It was also observed that the Sm doping increased the visible light absorption ability of Sm/ZNRs and a red shift for Sm/ZNRs appeared when compared to pure ZNRs. The photocatalytic activity of the products was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of phenol aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The results showed that all the Sm/ZNRs exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than that of the pure ZNRs. Such enhancement was attributed to their high charge separation efficiency and radical dotOH generation ability as evidenced by the PL spectra. The photocatalytic studies also showed that various effects of parameter had remarkable effect on the degradation rate of phenol. In addition, the one-dimensional structure of Sm/ZNRs could be easily recycled and reused, showing great potential for practical applications in environmental cleanup.