Effect of cerium doping on the optical and photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanoflowers

Bulletin of Materials Science

HEMALATHA PARANGUSAN^1¹  DEEPALEKSHMI PONNAMMA^1² 

[1] Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar^1;Materials Science and Technology Program, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar^2

关键词: Semiconductor;    nanoflowers;    photoluminescence;    defects;    microwave-assisted sol–gel method.;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：材料工程

来源: Indian Academy of Sciences

【 摘 要 】

Photocatalytic performances of the synthesized cerium doped (Ce-doped) ZnO nanoflowers are reported in this work. A microwave-assisted sol–gel method is adopted for the synthesis of the nanomaterial and its structural andmorphological features are characterized. While doping, the Ce$^{3+}$ ions occupy the sites of Zn$^{2+}$ ions in the hexagonal ZnO lattice, which is investigated by means of X-ray diffraction studies and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. At higher Ce$^{3+}$ concentrations, ultraviolet (UV) light absorption is quite high as evidenced by the UV–Vis absorption spectra. The photoluminescence study demonstrates higher oxygen vacancy and zinc interstitials for the Ce-doped ZnO compared to the undoped ZnO. Ce-doping improves the electrical properties of the sample as well. Finally, it is established that the Ce-doped ZnO nanoflower is highly efficient in UV degrading the methylene blue organic dye.

【 授权许可】

CC BY