Synthesis of Tb-doped ZnO/RGO nanocomposites and its enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Tb-ZnO/reduced graphene oxide (Tb-ZnO/RGO) nanocomposites were prepared by a simple one-step solvothermal method. The samples were characterized by XRD , SEM, XPS, BET, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy , and their photocatalytic activities toward different pollutants (RhB, MO, PR, and MB) degradation were evaluated. Tb-ZnO/RGO nanocomposite shows enhanced photocatalytic activity with high kinetic constants (0.04 min −1 ) and good stability. Enhanced charge separation and migration have been analyzed using UV–Vis absorption spectra , PL spectra, and EIS analysis. Improved photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the smaller band gap, larger specific surface area (28.3478 m 2 /g) and more effective separation and transport of photogenerated carriers by Tb 3+ and RGO. All the results show that the nanocomposite catalyst has a good application prospect in the degradation of pollutants.