Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under UV irradiation in the presence of synthesized PVP capped pure and gadolinium doped ZnO nanoparticles

•Synthesis of Zn1-xGdxO nanoparticles using wet chemical co-precipitation technique.•Polyvinylpyrrolidne was used as a capping agent.•The synthesized nanoparticles were used as photocatalysts for the degradation of methyl orange dye.•Doping of ZnO nanoparticles has greatly increased its catalytic efficiency.