Progress of 3d metal-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles and the photocatalytic properties

Abstract Modification of ZnO by doping with 3d metal has been intensively reported, and many interesting applications have been proven. This review elaborated the doping effect of the 3d metal atom (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) on the bandgap of ZnO and their application. The review involved more than 190 articles on the 3d metal-doped ZnO, introducing some fundamental theories, including doping types, nanoparticle synthesis methods, nanoparticle morphologies, and lattice size changes. The preparation methods of 3d metal-doped ZnO and the particle morphology effect are elaborated before discussing the correlation between dopant characteristics (type, content, radii) and the bandgap and crystallite size properties. The review ended with the application and photocatalytic degradation for dye in the visible and ultraviolet irradiation.