Effective sonocatalytic degradation of organic dyes by using Er3+:YAlO3/TiO2–SnO2 under ultrasonic irradiation

Abstract In this work, the Er 3+ :YAlO 3 , as up-conversion luminescence agent, was deposited on the surface of TiO 2 –SnO 2 composite and then a novel sonocatalyst, Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /TiO 2 –SnO 2 , was obtained. The Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /TiO 2 –SnO 2 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Its sonocatalytic activity was examined through the degradation of Acid Red B under ultrasonic irradiation. The degradation process of Acid Red B was monitored by UV–vis spectrophotometer and ion chromatography. Furthermore, the main influence factors on the sonocatalytic activity of Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /TiO 2 –SnO 2 such as Ti/Sn molar ratio, heat-treated temperature and heat-treated time were studied. The results indicate that the Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /TiO 2 –SnO 2 with 3:7 Ti/Sn molar ratio heat-treated at 550 °C for 60 min exhibit a best sonocatalytic activity during the degradation of Acid Red B. In addition, the results also show that Er 3+ :YAlO 3 /TiO 2 –SnO 2 displays a good sonocatalytic activity for other organic dyes degradation.