Sonocatalytic performance of Er-doped ZnO for degradation of a textile dye

Pure and erbium (Er)-doped ZnO samples were synthesized through a sonochemical method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The synthesized samples were used as a catalyst for the sonocatalytic decolorization of Reactive Orange 29 (RO29) as a model organic pollutant. The decolorization efficiency was 63%, 68%, 88%, and 75% for undoped, 2%, 4%, and 6% Er-doped ZnO, respectively. The effect of different experimental parameters including catalyst content, dye concentration and ultrasound power was investigated on the sonocatalytic decolorization of RO29. Among several radical scavengers (i.e. chloride, carbonate and sulfate anions and t-butanol), the chloride anion showed the most inhibitive effect on the sonocatalysis performance. Improvement of the sonocatalytic process by K₂S₂O₈ and H₂O₂ enhancers was also studied. The reusability of the synthesized sonocatalyst was evaluated in several consecutive runs, and a decline of only 4% was observed in the process performance after five runs. The intermediates produced during the degradation of RO29 were identified by GC-MS analysis.