The effect of Ce{sup 4+} incorporation on structural, morphological and photocatalytic characters of ZnO nanoparticles

Journal Article · Sat Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2014.08.021· OSTI ID:22403583

Kannadasan, N.; Cholan, S.; Sathishkumar, K.; Viruthagiri, G.; Poonguzhali, R.

We report a simple chemical precipitation method for the preparation of undoped and cerium doped ZnO nanocrystals. The concentration of cerium in the products can be controlled in the range of 0.025–0.125 mol. The structure and chemical compositions of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; energy dispersive spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that Ce{sup 4+} ions were successfully incorporated into the lattice position of Zn{sup 2+} ions in ZnO. The morphology of the products was analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscope analysis. The optical properties of the products were studied by ultraviolet–visible and room temperature photoluminescence measurements. The photoluminescence emission spectra of Ce-doped ZnO showed enhanced visible emissions as a result of 5d → 4f transition of cerium. In particular, a novel photocatalytic activity of the products was assessed using methylene blue. The obtained result reveals that Ce-doped products show higher reduction efficiency for methylene blue than the undoped ZnO. - Highlights: • Nanocrystals of ZnO and ZnO:Ce{sup 4+} were grown. • XPS results confirmed the incorporated cerium in tetravalence. • PL emission exhibited 5d → 4f transition on cerium doping. • Doped ZnO decolorizes MB faster than undoped ZnO.

• OSTI ID: 22403583
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Journal Name: Materials Characterization Vol. 97; ISSN 1044-5803; ISSN MACHEX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CERIUM
CERIUM IONS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
DOPED MATERIALS
EMISSION SPECTRA
METHYLENE BLUE
NANOPARTICLES
NANOSTRUCTURES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
PRECIPITATION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0273-0400 K
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ZINC IONS
ZINC OXIDES