Synthesis, characterization and visible light photocatalytic activity of Mg2+ and Zr4+ co-doped TiO2 nanomaterial for degradation of methylene blue

•The Mg2+ & Zr4+ co-doped TiO2 nonmaterial was synthesized by sol–gel method.•The co-doping of Mg2+ and Zr4+ into the TiO2 assures the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of pure TiO2.•The Mg2+ & Zr4+ co-doped TiO2 degrading 10 mg/L of methylene blue within 120min. Mg2+ and Zr4+ co-doped TiO2 was synthesized by sol–gel method. Catalysts were characterized by XRD, UV–vis DRS, SEM-EDX, TEM, BET, XPS and FT-IR to evaluate the crystal patterns and crystallite size (5.07–18.9nm), bandgap energy, morphology, surface area, surface composition with oxidation states and incorporation of dopants into TiO2 lattice. Degradation of methylene blue was carried out under visible light irradiation by varying the reaction parameters such as initial dye concentration, catalyst loading and pH of the solution. 1.0wt% Mg2+ and 0.25wt% Zr4+ codoped TiO2 was found to be an efficient catalyst.