Enhanced UV assisted photocatalytic activity of doped and co-doped SnO2 nanostructured material

Abstract

In the recent past, materials with unique properties were the versatile tools of modern technology. Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are of incredible consideration because of their uncommon electrical, optical and attractive synergistic properties. One such metal oxide, tin oxide (SnO2), is widely applied and successfully researched as an n-type semiconductor in the field of electronics, as an optoelectronic sensor, as a gas sensor, as a transparent oxide in solar cells, etc. The success of these applications depends on the special qualities of SnO2 nanoparticles, which vary depending on size, manufacturing processes, dopants, etc. The present study illustrates the synthesis of pure, nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd) doped, and Ni–Nd co-doped SnO2 NPs via low cost one step hydrothermal synthesis. X-ray diffraction study was utilized for the structural analysis and crystallite size measurement. A considerable decrease in crystallite size and band gap is obtained from the doped and co-doped samples. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscope images show an almost spherical particle with uniform size. The decolorization efficiency of methyl orange, rhodamine-6G, and eriochrome dyes was enhanced by the addition of dopants. The electrical properties of the proposed samples at various temperatures and frequencies were also reported.