Synthesis effect of Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles for visible light photocatalysis.

Herein, we describe an effective route for the degradation of methyl blue (MB) dye under sunlight irradiation by Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles(NPs) synthesized through a Photon Induced Method (PIM). XRD studies point toward a significantly reduced crystallite size (33 nm) and a high shift in the XRD peaks toward a lower 2θ angle with Mg doping as compared to the standard ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs. The lattice constant is due to the replacement of Zn²⁺ by Mg²⁺ in the crystal lattice by the effect of the photons (PIM). Moreover, the sub-lattice affects the structure, and the bandgap energy (Eg) decreased from 3.36 to 2.48 eV. As a result of this crystallite size and bandgaps are advantageous for the absorption of organic molecules, the composite configuration holds the excellent carrier conductivity of magnesium, enabling rapid separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The presence of this Mg on the surface of ZnO NPs was investigated using FTIR analysis, which confirmed the presence of the stretching vibration of the Mg-O-Mg bonding. A promising method in this regard is to use PIM prepared Mg-doped ZnO NPs due to their low recombination rate and excellent photodegradation under sunlight irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]