Photocatalytic performance of ZnO:Fe array films under sunlight irradiation

ZnO:Fe array thin films were prepared by the hydrothermal method using the sol–gel grown film as a seed layer. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet/visible absorption spectra (UV–vis) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples were investigated for the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under sunlight irradiation. The results show that the lattice constant a and the cell volume of ZnO:Fe film increase due to the substitution of Fe for Zn. The absorption edge of Fe-doped ZnO displays a red shift with a significant absorption between 600 and 700 nm. The ZnO:Fe array film is composed of disk particles with uniformity and compactness. Doping Fe ions enhances the photodegradation rate of ZnO array film for MB. 1.5% Fe doped ZnO sample exhibits the highest activity under irradiation time of 4 h. Its degradation rate increases about 1.6 times compared to the undoped ZnO.