Optical, structural and photocatalytic properties of rare earth element Gd3+ doped MgO nanocrystals

Abstract

In this work, a cost-effective and ecologically friendly way was chosen for the preparation of magnesium oxide (MgO) and gadolinium doped MgO (Gd3+-doped MgO) nanoparticles. The Gd3+ ions caused a shift in the acceptor level, which is proved by the obtained band gap values of the samples which is found to be reduced for Gd3+-doped MgO rather than pure MgO. Three bands related to F + and F oxygen deficiency defects may be seen in the photoluminescence spectra of produced nanomaterials. Crystallinity, particle size, and surface area, of these synthetic photocatalyst were all measured. The photo activity of Gd3+-doped MgO with different weight percent (1, 3, and 5) of Gd3+ has been studied in Methyl Orange (MO) and Methylene Blue (MB) degradation. The photocatalytic behavior of magnesium oxide nanoparticles and rare earth element Gd3+-doped magnesium oxide was studied, and the photocatalytic rate was enhanced by doping of gadolinium under UV radiation was observed. The impact of operational variables like pH and PZC was evaluated. When the efficiency of all produced nanoparticles was compared, it was discovered that the 5 wt% Gd-doped MgO nano powder performed better rather than the rest of the materials.