Biosynthesis, structural, photoluminescence and photocatalytic performance of Mn/Mg dual doped ZnO nanostructures using Ocimum tenuiflorum leaf extract

Abstract

Here, pure ZnO, Zn0.98Mn0.02O and Zn0.96Mn0.02Mg0.02O nanostructures using aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum were reported. XRD patterns revealed that no secondary phase was noticed and ZnO hexagonal wurtzite structure was not altered by Mn/Mg simultaneous doping. Mg co-doping with Zn0.98Mn0.02O considerably decreased the crystallite size from 46 to 34 nm due to ionic size difference. The superior absorbance and tuning of energy gap by Mn/Mg substitution is useful for opto-electronic applications. The presence of Mn and Mg in Zn-Mn-Mg-O network was confirmed by IR analysis. The effective charge separation, enhanced optical absorbance in the visible range, increased surface area and the generation of more defect related states were responsible for the noticed highest photocatalytic activity in Mn/Mg doped ZnO.