Photoluminescence and Photocatalytic Activity in Ca2+ and Dy3+ Co-doped ZnWO4 System

Abstract

Ca2+ and Dy3+ co-doped ZnWO4 system was synthesized successfully via high temperature solid-state reaction. The photoluminescent, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photocatalytic properties of the phosphors had been studied systematically. The results indicated that Ca2+ and Dy3+ co-doped ZnWO4 phosphors have lower luminescent intensity than that of ZnWO4: Dy3+ phosphors. The result of UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra demonstrated that Ca2+ and Dy3+ co-doped ZnWO4 phosphors show higher UV absorption efficiency. In addition, photocatalytic activities of the Ca2+ and Dy3+ co-doped ZnWO4 phosphors were evaluated by photo-degradation of RhB under ultraviolet irradiation. The result shows that Ca2+ and Dy3+ co-doped ZnWO4 phosphors can exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than pure ZnWO4:Dy3+, which could be ascribed to more electron-hole pairs generated and the combination of electrons and holes decreased in the co-doped phosphors. Thus, resulting in the increase of photocatalytic activity.