Enhanced photocatalytic mineralization efficiency of anionic element doped ZnO by improving separation of excitons

Carbon-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized through different carbon precursors namely fullerene, glucose, and sucrose via hydrothermal method. The presence of carbon in the ZnO lattice was confirmed by the shifting of diffraction peaks and micro Raman characteristic peak of ZnO towards the lower values. XPS spectra confirms the Zn–O–C bond from the shifting of binding energy peaks towards the higher value for C-ZnO due to the variation in the electronegativity values of C and O. Based on the elemental analysis and photoluminescence studies, the deficiency of O and Zn in ZnO was confirmed while ZnO doped with carbon. The visible-light catalytic performance of the prepared photocatalysts for the mineralization of organic dye was studied. Carbon plays a significant contribution to enhance the photocatalytic activity and photostability of pristine ZnO till fourth cycle by overcoming the photocorrosion of ZnO because of its environmental and biological friendly nature. The trapping experiments were employed to demonstrate the degradation process and the possible photocatalysis mechanism.