Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO–CdS Composite Nanostructures towards the Degradation of Rhodamine B under Solar Light

A simple chemical precipitation route was utilized for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), CdS NPs and ZnO–CdS nanocomposites (NCs). The synthesized nanostructures were examined for the crystal structure, morphology, optical properties and photodegradation activity of rhodamine B (RhB) dye. The ZnO–CdS NCs showed a mixed phase of hexagonal wurtzite structure for both ZnO NPs and CdS NPs. Pure ZnO NPs and CdS NPs possessed bandgaps of 3.2617 and 2.5261 eV, respectively. On the other hand, the composite nanostructures displayed a more narrow bandgap of 2.9796 eV than pure ZnO NPs. When compared to bare ZnO NPs, the PL intensity of near-band-edge emission at 381 nm was practically suppressed, suggesting a lower rate of photogenerated electron–hole (e−/h+) pairs recombination, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic activity. Under solar light, the composite nanostructures displayed a photodegradation efficiency of 98.16% towards of RhB dye. After four trials, the structural stability of ZnO–CdS NCs was verified.

Influence of the Distance Between Nozzle and Substrate on Structural, Photoluminescence, and Detector Characteristics of p-NiO/n-Si Hetero-Junction Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis Method

In the present investigation, p-NiO has been deposited on n-Si (100) substrate by the spray pyrolysis method. The effect of the distance between the substrate and the nozzle on the structural, photoluminescence, and detection properties has been well inspected. XRD analysis proved the polycrystalline system with a cubic structure for NiO. The elemental analysis confirmed the existence of Ni, O, and Si materials without any impurities. The FESEM analysis showed nano and micro particles distributed on the Si layer, the micro particles have porous like structures which play a significant role as photons guider. The photoluminescence measurement depicted three main peaks at the UV and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum which are related to near band edge emission and defects within the crystal, respectively. I-V characteristics revealed good conductivity under UV illumination, and the highest current was recorded by a sample when the distance between the nozzle and the substrate is 25 cm. The responsivity elucidated a high value at UV region with 6.5 mA/W, and the current-time properties demonstrated good reproducibility, high stability and photoresponse, and rapid response and recovery times of 0.375 and 0.791 s, respectively at a lower bias voltage of 1.5 Volt under UV photons source.

Effect of Yb3+ doping level on the structure and spectroscopic properties of ZnO optical ceramics

Zinc oxide optical ceramics with hexagonal structure doped with 0.6 –5.0 wt% Yb were fabricated by uniaxial hot pressing of commercial oxide powders at 1180 °C in vacuum. The ceramics were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, EDX, X-ray and optical spectroscopy. It is shown that Yb3+ ions are distributed between C-type Yb2O3 sesquioxide crystals and ZnO grain boundaries. The Yb3+ doping of ZnO ceramics enhances the near-band-edge emission of zinc oxide. ZnO:Yb optical ceramics are promising for optoelectronic applications.

Time-Resolved and Temperature-Dependent Fractional Amplitude Contributions to the Broadband Emission of CdSe Quantum Dots

The broadband spontaneous emission of excitons in CdSe quantum dots (QDs) is of great interest for the spectral imaging of living organisms or specific substances in the visible spectral region as well as in the biological optical window near the infrared spectral region. Semiconductor QDs that are near the bulk Bohr radius exhibit wide spectral tunability and high color purity due to quantum confinement of excitons within the dot boundary. However, with reducing dot size, the role of the surface-trapped state increases. The temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) confirms this with a ~3:1 emission intensity decrease from the surface-trapped state compared to the band edge. Large crystal irregularity, dangling ions, and foreign molecules can introduce new electronic transitions from surface-trapped states that provide broad spontaneous emission in the spectral region from visible to near IR in addition to the band edge emission. The time-resolved PL analyzed the fractional contributions of band edge, surface-trapped states, and possible intermediate trapped states to the broad spectral emission in order to characterize the CdSe QDs.

N and Fe doped NiO nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of azo dye methylene blue in the presence of visible light

Pure NiO, N-doped, Fe-doped, N and Fe codoped NiO NPs were fabricated via a precipitation process. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the face centered cubic phase of NiO products. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the XRD peak was steadily enlarged with the order of elements N, Fe, N/Fe doped to NiO, and shifted towards a greater angle due to decrease in grain size, as shown by XRD. The average crystallite size of NiO products was calculated, ranging from 6.67 to 3.76 nm, according to the Debye Scherrer formula. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated considerable morphological changes in the produced nanoparticles, including those directed to rock-like geometries (NiO and Fe/NiO nanoparticles) while gas covered-nanocrystals (N/NiO and N/Fe/NiO nanoparticles) were formed using precipitation method. The particle size range of 10–50 nm was estimated using the bar scale in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures. The elemental composition of Ni, O, Fe and N atoms in the respected samples was analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX). Photoluminescence (PL) showed band edge emission at 370 nm. The band edge-absorption peak, which is caused by electronic transitions between energy levels, is determined to be in the range 314–325 nm. A UV–Vis analysis found an energy gap amid 3.2 eV and 2.5 eV. The chemical condition of the Fe and N doped NiO composites were validated using XPS. Using visible photo application of undoped and doped NiO NPs, the degradation of an azo dye termed methylene blue was examined. It was N/Fe/NiO (79.8%), Fe/NiO (76%), N/NiO (73%), and NiO (62%) throughout the 6 h irradiation duration. Increased production of OH• radicals was detected in fluorescence tests using terephthalic acid (TA) for N/Fe/NiO NPs, indicating the higher photo-degradation described. Furthermore, the degradation trends of both undoped and doped NiO NPs closely matched the pseudo first order kinetics, according to the kinetic analysis. There was also a suggestion for a thorough MB breakdown mechanism.

Optical Characteristics of GaN Thin Film Deposited by Pulsed Laser Ablation

We present optical data on GaN thin film samples grown by pulsed laser ablation, two different pulsed laser ablation powers. The bandgap of specimens with recognizable crystallinity has been deduced from the optical spectrum data. Longtails were observed below the gap band. In specimens are entirely dependent on the powers of the laser ablation process. The specimens with the highest laser power, 2000 mJ, show that a smaller near band edge emission peaked at 3.32 eV is observed up to room temperature. The maximum energy bandgap 3.62 is possibly observed at 1500 mJ laser energy.

Investigation of Ti Doping on the Structural, Optical and Magnetic Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles

Ti - doped ZnO (TixZn1-xO x= 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) nanoparticles have been synthesized through co - precipitation approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL), UV-Visible spectroscopy, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) have been used to characterize the samples. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis manifested the hexagonal wurtzite structure. The crystallite size decreased from 37 ​nm to 29 ​nm as dopant concentration is increased. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed the absorption bands of ZnO, with few within the intensities. SEM investigation showed the irregular shape and agglomeration of the particles. Ti, Zn, and O composition were determined from EDX analysis and confirmed the purity of the samples.PL spectra showed a near band edge emission and visible emission.Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) demonstrated pure and doped samples exhibited ferromagnetism behavior at room temperature.

Enhanced UV Emission from ZnO on Silver Nanoparticle Arrays by the Surface Plasmon Resonance Effect

Periodical silver nanoparticle (NP) arrays were fabricated by magnetron sputtering method with anodic aluminum oxide templates to enhance the UV light emission from ZnO by the surface plasmon resonance effect. Theoretical simulations indicated that the surface plasmon resonance wavelength depended on the diameter and space of Ag NP arrays. By introducing Ag NP arrays with the diameter of 40 nm and space of 100 nm, the photoluminescence intensity of the near band-edge emission from ZnO was twofold enhanced. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurement and energy band analysis indicated that the UV light emission enhancement was attributed to the coupling between the surface plasmons in Ag NP arrays and the excitons in ZnO with the improved spontaneous emission rate and enhanced local electromagnetic fields.