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

Abstract In this paper, several Yb, N and F-doped up-conversion luminescence agents, Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 , Er 3+ :Yb n Y 3− n Al 5 O 12 , Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 N x O 12− x , Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 F y O 12− y and Er 3+ :Yb n Y 3− n Al 5 N x F y O 12− x − y , were successfully synthesized by sol–gel method and then their corresponding photocatalysts, Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 , Er 3+ :Yb n Y 3− n Al 5 O 12 /TiO 2 , Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 N x O 12− x /TiO 2 , Er 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 F y O 12− y /TiO 2 and Er 3+ :Yb n Y 3− n Al 5 N x F y O 12− x − y /TiO 2 , 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, Er 3+ :Yb 0.3 Y 2.7 Al 5 N 0.01 F 0.01 O 11.98 /TiO 2 displays highest photocatalytic activity.