Photocatalytic efficiencies of Zn1-xMxO compounds synthesized with a broad panel of M elements: Responses in the UV, visible and solar range

•Solar applications were limited by the low efficiency of photocatalysts.•The photocatalytic efficiencies of the catalyst/M element combination were discriminated according to the M element.•The photocatalytic yield is strongly dependent on spectral range considered.•Whatever the combination, the efficiency in the UV range is stronger than in the visible one.