Influence of Dy dopant on photocatalytic properties of Dy-doped ZnWO4 nanorods

• Dy-doped ZnWO4 nanorods were synthesized by the hydrothermal method.
• Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated through methylene blue degradation.
• 3 mol% Dy-doped ZnWO4 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activities.

0–3 mol% Dy-doped ZnWO4 nanorods as UV-light-responsive photocatalyst were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The effect of Dy dopant on phase, morphologies and photocatalytic activities of ZnWO4 was investigated. Their phase and morphologies were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In this research, the products are of monoclinic ZnWO4 nanorods with [021] growth direction. The photocatalysis was evaluated through degradation of methylene blue solution under UV radiation, with 3 mol% Dy-doped ZnWO4 at the highest activity.