Characterization and properties of Eu3+-doped CdWO4 prepared by a hydrothermal method

Eu3+-doped CdWO4 was prepared for the first time by a hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology, and luminescence of the Eu3+-doped CdWO4 were characterized. TEM results revealed that the pure CdWO4 was a nanorod with a width of about 50 nm. The photoluminescent properties of Eu3+-doped CdWO4 complexes indicated energy transfer from WO4 (2-) groups to Eu3+ and suggested effective doping of Eu3+ into the lattice of CdWO4. The photocatalytic activity of CdWO4 and Eu3+-doped CdWO4 was investigated by the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO). Eu3+-doped CdWO4 had enhanced photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of MO. The hydroxyl radical was detected by the terephthalic acid photoluminescence (TA-PL) method, and the regular change revealed that the hydroxyl radical may be the active species.