Photocatalytic Activity of LaSr2 AlO5 :Eu Ceramic Powders

The photocatalytic activity, of undoped and Europium-doped LaSr2 AlO5 powders, has been investigated by degrading methylene blue dye in water solutions. Those powders were fabricated by a combustion method and an annealing treatment in air. All samples showed a tetragonal single phase according to by X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed irregular semi-oval grains with sizes in the range of 3.5-4.27 μm. Photoluminescence spectrum showed sharp emission peaks at 588 nm and at 617 nm which are associated with (7) F1 ,(7) F2 → (5) D0 Eu(3+) ion forbidden transitions, respectively, under UV light excitation of 322 nm. The methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light (254 nm) was studied by monitoring changes in the absorbance peak of MB at 665 nm. Finally, LaSr2 AlO5 :Eu powders were used three times and the efficiency for the degradation of MB decreased from 100 to 61% after the third cycle of use.