Enhanced visible light photocatalytic efficiency of La-doped ZnO nanofibers via electrospinning-calcination technology

A series of La-doped ZnO (La/ZnO) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning-calcination technology and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy and specific surface area analysis. The effect of numerous operational parameters involving calcination temperature, La doping amount, La-doped ZnO concentration and initial Rhodamine B (Rh B) concentration on photocatalytic efficiency of the composite has been analyzed by using Rh B for degradation under the illumination of visible light. Under optimum conditions, ZnO doped with 1.5 ​at.% La achieved 94.31% Rh B degradation after 510 ​min of visible light illumination. The kinetic data of La/ZnO catalyst for Rh B photodegradation fitted the Langmuir-Hinshelwood first-order (LHFO) kinetic model well.