Strontium-supported erbium oxide nanoparticles for efficient organic pollutant degradation under UV–Visible light

Different weight percentage of strontium (Sr 2+ ) doped Erbium oxide (Er 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by the wet impregnation method. The X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, elemental mapping, energy-dispersive X ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV–visible spectroscopy analysis were used to analyze the structural, morphological, elemental, and optical properties of the prepared samples. According to HR-TEM images, Er 2 O 3 has a two-dimensional hexagonal lamellar structure with an average particle size distribution of about 25–35 nm. The photocatalytic activities of pristine and Sr 2+ doped samples were evaluated against the methyl orange and rhodamine B (Rh B) dyes under UV–visible light irradiation. Within 75 min of light irradiation, the 5% of Sr 2+ doped Er 2 O 3 NPs shows significantly enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiency against Rh B dye. The synergistic effect of the strong metal–support interaction between the Sr 2+ and Er 2 O 3 NPs could be attributed to the improved photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples. The cyclic stability and radical trapping experiments were also investigated against the same reaction conditions. The photocatalytic degradation of 5% of Sr 2+ doped Er 2 O 3 sample reached 93.02% in 75 min of irradiation. The consequences designate that a good photocatalytic efficiency after recycling the photocatalysts five times.