Effect of synthesis parameters on the structural, morphological characteristics, and photocatalytic activity of La2O3 nanoparticles

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of synthesis processes such as sonication, sol-gel, and microwave on the production of highly crystalline Lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La2O3) employing Lanthanum nitrate and Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) as precursors. X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis (DLS), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to examine the most effective processing method and its effects on the nanoparticle characteristics, such as structure, morphology, and optical and electrical behavior. Sonication produces La2O3 NPs with a smaller crystalline size, an agglomerated nanorod structure, a higher bandgap, and better electrical responsiveness than sol-gel and microwave techniques. Structural and optical characterization tests discovered this. The photocatalytic degradation activity of cationic Safranin and anionic Congo red dye exhibits degradation efficiency of around 90.13% and 89.66%, respectively.