La-doped ZnO nanoparticles: Simple solution-combusting preparation and applications in the wastewater treatment

•La-doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully prepared via a simple solution-combustion route.•The integration of La3+ ions into ZnO decreased the band-gap of ZnO nanoparticles.•La-doped ZnO nanoparticles could remove more Pb and Cu ions from water resources than undoped ZnO.

La-doped ZnO nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a simple solution combustion method via employing a mixture of ethanol and ethyleneglycol (v/v = 60/40) as the solvent. Zinc acetate and oxygen gas in the atmosphere were used as zinc and oxygen sources, and La(NO3)3 as the doping reagent. The as-obtained product was characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Experiments showed that La-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibited the higher capacities for the removal of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions in water resource than undoped ZnO nanoparticles.

Graphical abstractLa-doped ZnO nanoparticles have been successfully prepared by a simple solution combustion route and exhibit good adsorption for Cu and Pb ion from water systems.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide