Enhancement of photocatalytic activity in Nd doped ZnO with an increase in dielectric constant

Abstract

The enhancement of photocatalytic activity in ZnO is achieved via Nd doping through a modified solid state reaction route. This work correlates optical band gap, Urbach energy, photoluminescence emission and dielectric property of the compound with the enhanced photocatalytic activity. Less yield is the main problem faced by photocatalytic industry, which is solved via introducing modified solid state reaction route with high yield. The structural, morphological and composition analyses were carried out with X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric characterization was done with a series LCR meter. The optical and defect studies were done with UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence techniques. The reduction of particle size, the red shift of band gap energy, the photoluminescence quenching and enhanced dielectric constant achieved via Nd doping increased the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. The reusability of photocatalyst was confirmed with a stability test.