Comparison of facile synthesized N doped, B doped and undoped ZnO for the photocatalytic removal of Rhodamine B

•A facile mechanochemical method used for synthesizing doped ZnO photocatalysts.•N or B doped ZnO samples tested on Rhodamine B dye degradation for the first time.•For ZnO, doping amount, calcination temperature, pH and reusability effects were clarified.•N4%-ZnO photocatalyst is the most efficient for the decomposition of Rhodamine B.