Facile functionalization of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles to induce inherent photoluminescence and excellent photocatalytic activity
- S.N. Bose National Center for Basic Sciences, Block-JD, Sector-3, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700098 (India)
Herein, we report the emergence of intrinsic multicolor photoluminescence in Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles (NPs) ranging from blue, cyan, to green, upon facile functionalization and further surface modification with a small organic ligand, Na-tartrate. Moreover, we have found unprecedented photocatalytic property of the functionalized Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs in the degradation of a model water-contaminant. Meticulous investigation through UV-visible absorption and fluorescence study along with theoretical support from literature unfolds that ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition from the tartrate ligand to the lowest unoccupied energy level of Fe{sup 3+} of the NPs and d−d transitions centered over Fe{sup 3+} ions in the NPs play the key role in the emergence of multiple photoluminescence from the ligand functionalized Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs. Moreover, vibrating sample magnetometry measurements demonstrate that the surface modification changes the magnetic behaviour of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs upon functionalization. We believe that the great potential of our versatile, ferromagnetic, multicolor photoluminescent Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs would stimulate the development of numerous opportunities toward their biological and technological applications.
- OSTI ID:
- 22300013
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 23; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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