Investigation on luminescence properties using second-generation (G2) triazolyl chalcone dendrimer as stabilizing agent in Ag@SnO2 core–shell nanoparticles

Abstract

Ag@SnO2 core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple, low-cost method using generation 1 (G1) and generation 2 (G2) triazolyl chalcone dendrimer as stabilizing agent. The structural properties were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and transmission electron microscope images. From the XRD values obtained, the average crystallite size and lattice strain of the samples Ag@SnO2-G1 and Ag@SnO2-G2 were calculated using Scherrer formula and the results were compared with size–strain plot. The selected area electron diffraction and XRD analyses exhibited the tetragonal primitive crystal structure with dhkl = 2.3 A, 1.6 A and 1.2 A. The optical properties of the sample were analysed using UV–Visible spectra and photoluminescence (PL) studies. The energy bandgap was calculated using Tau Plot and was found to be direct bandgap of 3.80 eV and 3.85 eV for G1 and G2 samples, respectively. From the PL study, it was evident that the sample Ag@SnO2-G2 emitted photons at 601 nm to the orange region of the visible spectrum confirming a remarkable shift in the wavelength of photonic emission when compared to that of zeroth-generation stabilizer in Ag@SnO2 core–shell nanoparticles. The major shift in the photonic emission exhibits the impact of second-generation dendrimer (G2) on the luminescence property of the synthesized sample and promises favourable results in optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications.