Enhanced photocatalytic, photoluminescence and fingerprint properties of Dy3+ ions doped BaZrO3 nanopowders for multifunctional applications

Abstract

In the present investigation photoluminescent, photocatalytic and advanced forensic applications of hydrothermally prepared BaZrO3:Dy3+ (1–9 mol%) nanopowders were studied in detail. Fresh green Aloe Vera (AV) gel was used as capping agent for the preparation of NPs. The pure cubic phase was observed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) profiles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was utilized to investigate the functional groups present in the prepared NPs. The modification in surface morphology was investigated by using Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images. The grain size was evaluated by utilizing transmission electron microscope (TEM) images and found to be around 48 nm. Further, with the help of high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM) images the interplanar distance was calculated and found to be 0.32 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) studies were carried out in detail using excitation and emission spectra. The maximum intensity was detected for peak 388 nm ascribed to 6H15/2 → 4I13/2 + 4F7/2 of Dy3+ transition under 574 nm emanation wavelength. The obtained emanation spectra consist of 3 characteristics peaks of Dy3+ ions at 480, 574 and 666 nm attributed to 4F9/2→ 6H15/2, 4F9/2→ 6H13/2 and 4F9/2→ 6H11/2 respectively. The PL intensity increases up to 7 mol% dopant ion weight and afterwards it decreases due to concentration quenching phenomena. The dipole–dipole interaction was responsible for this quenching. The color coordinates results in white emission witnessed from the Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) and correlated color temperature (CCT) diagrams. The average CCT value was observed around 4836 K. Further, the color purity (CP) and external quantum efficiency (QE) was estimated and found to be 86 % and 64 % respectively. The photocatalytic degradation activity was also studied for the prepared powders and found that, the optimum degradation was observed till 180 min. The kinetics studies revealed that, the present powders were in agreement with the 0th order with estimated ko = 0.015 with R2 value of 0.98 respectively. The powders were also explored for their latent fingerprint (LFP) visualization on various porous and non-porous surfaces and found that, the powders exhibited all types of fingerprint ridge details including the 3rd type such as sweat pores and scar. The observed all outcomes specify that, the prepared powders can be used as a potential candidate for the fabrication of white LEDs (wLEDs), excellent photocatalyst and fingerprint visualization.