Needle-Like La-Doped MgO Photocatalyst: Synthesis, Characterization and Photodegradation of Flumequine Antibiotic Under UV Irradiation

Abstract

La-doped MgO samples with different La content were prepared via a sol-gel method using magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and Lanthanum nitrate. The prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). The influence of La+3 in the MgO structure was investigated against Flumequine (FLQ) photodegradation. SEM images displayed needle-like MgO crystals, whereas the addition of La+3 decreased the needle's length. This study concludes that an optimal amount of La+3 can remarkably increase the photocatalytic performance of MgO. These results have been attributed to the crystalline defect.