Solar light responsive Sm-Zn ferrite nanoparticle as efficient photocatalyst

[Display omitted] •ZnSmxFe2−xO4 nanoparticles were synthesised by co-precipitation method.•The insertion of Sm3+ ions in the ZnFe2O4 spinel matrix shows an increase in lattice parameter and crystallite size.•The visible light absorption ability extended as Sm content increases up to x=1.5 with narrow band gap (1.42eV).•The lower intensity of PL emission specifies the reduction in the recombination of photo-induced e−/h+ pairs.•The x=1.5 is optimal samarium dosage in ZnFe2O4 to achieve highest photocatalytic degradation of MO. In this article, a series of Sm substituted zinc spinel ferrite nanoparticles (ZnSmxFe2-xO4) were fabricated by co-precipitation method. The effect of samarium substitution and annealing temperature on the crystal structure of zinc ferrite were explored in this study. The lattice parameter and crystallite size are increased with the increase in the Sm content. The visible light absorption ability extended as Sm content was increased up to (x=1.5) and, which was the best optimal dosage for photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Orange (MO). This red shift in absorbance unequivocally indicates them as potential agent in solar light driven photocatalytic activity. Such enhancement can be ascribed to the diminution in the band gap of zinc ferrite upon samarium substitution (1.42eV). Present study provides an excellent competency of rare earth substituted ferrite as a new class of photocatalyst over dye degradation under solar light irradiation.