Photocatalytic activity of red emission PVA-GdVO 4 :Eu 3+ nanocomposite towards the degradation of Eosin Y in water

Abstract

The availability of clean and safe water is a fundamental necessity for the sustenance of life and the well-being of our planet. Photocatalytic water treatment using nanomaterials has emerged as a promising and cutting-edge approach to address this pressing environmental challenge. In this work, a co-precipitation method was employed to synthesize europium (Eu3+) doped gadolinium metavanadate (GdVO4). The GdVO4:Eu3+ was encapsulated in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The GdVO4:Eu3+ and PVA-GdVO4:Eu3+ were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), photoluminescence (PL), and UV–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy results confirmed the formation of both GdVO4:Eu3+ crystals and PVA-GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocomposite. Both compounds’ photoluminescence spectra demonstrated effective energy transfer from the GdVO4 host to the Eu3+. Results obtained from the TGA indicate that PVA-GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocomposite is stable at a temperature of 330°C. Under UV irradiation, materials’ photocatalytic efficiency was examined regarding their ability to degrade Eosin Y dye in water. Results from the photocatalytic studies of the synthesized PVA-GdVO4:Eu3+ showed improved photocatalytic activity compared to GdVO4:Eu3+ under the same experimental conditions. When operating under ideal conditions of pH = 2, initial dye concentration of 30 ppm, a catalyst dosage of 200 mg, the degradation of Eosin Y surpassed 95% within 150 min of exposure to light.