New insights into non-linear optical properties, photocatalytic activity, and applications of ZnSe:Cu nanoparticles prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Abstract

In the present work, semiconducting ZnSe:Cu (0, 0.1, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 mol%) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method at the fixed pH of 11.2. XRD patterns certified the formation of nanocrystals with the size of about 2.04–2.21 nm. Also, FESEM and TEM images confirmed the formation of round-shape NPs. UV–Vis spectra showed that the energy gap of nanoparticles decreased from 3.615 to 3.342 eV by the increment in copper impurity content. The exact value of the energy gap of NPs was determined by the absorption spectrum fitting derivative method (DASF). Results revealed that these NPs have a high potential in optical and optoelectronic applications; specially, the samples owing 1.5 and 2.25 mol% of Cu-impurity, as the best candidates for optical fiber applications, showed the highest third order non-linear optical susceptibility (χ(3)). Also, for all synthesized NPs, the optical characteristics such as the optical transition index (m), Urbach energy (Etail), dielectric constant (ε) and the refractive index (n) at the absorption edge were determined. Moreover, the amount of metallization factor was also calculated, which decreases with the increase of impurity and microwave irradiation, indicating the increase of metal affinity of the samples. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ZnSe NPs demonstrated a general reduction in the intensity upon the introduction of Cu. This anticipated quenching further supports their heightened photocatalytic activity. The results of photocatalytic tests indicate that the sample containing 2.25 mol% of Cu exhibits the highest rate constant value (0.0255 min−1) and achieves the maximum efficiency (75.7 % after 60 min) for degrading the DB71, establishing it as the prime candidate for photocatalytic applications.