Simultaneous La3+ and Cu2+ cations insertion in the ZnO crystal structure and its effect on the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties

Herin, we present a study on the influence of simultaneous La3+ and Cu2+ cations insertion on the structural, optical properties, and methylene blue pollutant degradation of ZnO synthesized by co-precipitation route. Changes in the structural parameters, Zn–O stretching, and vibrational modes shifts were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman, respectively. The co-precipitation method resulted in ZnO compounds with non-homogeneous spherical morphology, as monitored by Scanning electron microscopy. It has been verified that the Zn2+ by La3+ and Cu2+ cations replacement in the ZnO crystal structure, modifies the optical band gap and Urbach energy, varies the percentages of defects associated with zinc vacancies (Vzn) and monovacancies (V0) and inhibits the creation of ionized oxygen vacancies (V+0). In addition, the Zn0.96La0.03Cu0.01O and Zn0.94La0.03Cu0.03O compounds presented a high photocatalytic effectiveness, with a degradation rate of 99.3 and 99.5