Tailoring iron-doped ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Iron-doped ZnO (Zn₁₋ₓFeₓO, x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.07, 0.10) nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. Various characterization techniques were employed to analyze the synthesized nanoparticles, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL). XRD results showed that the crystallite size decreased with increasing iron content. SEM analysis provided insights into grain size, while EDX confirmed the successful incorporation of Fe into the ZnO lattice. Optical studies revealed a reduction in band gap energy upon Fe doping. Additionally, PL spectra exhibited shifts in peak positions with varying iron concentrations. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye, achieving 82 % degradation after 180 min. The apparent rate constant for Fe-doped ZnO was higher than that of pure ZnO, highlighting its enhanced efficiency in wastewater remediation. © 2025