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Dy-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized with a sonochemical method. X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the successfully synthesis and nanometric diameter of the samples. Dy-doped ZnO nanoparticles were used for photocatalytic decolorization of C. I. Acid Red 17 solution under visible light irradiation. Among different amounts of dopant agent, 3% Dy-doped ZnO nanoparticles indicated the highest decolorization. Decolorization efficiency increased from 14.3 to 57.0% with an increase in catalyst dosage from 0.25 to 1 g/L, while further increment in the catalyst dosage up to 2 g/L caused an obvious decrease in decolorization efficiency. The addition of 0.1 mM peroxydisulfate (S₂O₈^2–) resulted in a decolorization efficiency of nearly 100% after irradiation for 180 …