Synthesis and characterization of Dy₂O₃ nanostructures: enhanced photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under UV irradiation

Dysprosium oxide (Dy₂O₃) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized via a novel facile solvent-less solid state method. Dysprosium oxide nanostructures were prepared by heat treatment in air at 500 °C for 2 h via Schiff-base ligand as a capping agent and dysprosium source. The effect of the Schiff base ligand (N,N-Bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine (H₂salen)) as a capping agent on product by different molar ratios of dysprosium nitrate and Schiff base ligand were investigated to reach optimum conditions of Dy₂O₃ nanoparticles such as size and morphology. Analytical method such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were employed to characterized the as-prepared nanostructures. The results shows that the molar ration and calcination temperatures of Schiff base ligand and dysprosium nitrate have substantial and key effect on the size and morphology of the Dy₂O₃. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of Dy₂O₃ nanostructure was studied by the photocatalytic degradation of the rhodamine B as cationic dye under UV irradiation.