SnO2 nano particles Co-doped by Co and Ag: Microstructural, photocatalytic, magnetic, and Electric studies

Abstract

The optical, photocatalyst, magnetic, and electric properties along with the microstructure of tin oxide co-doped by Ag and Co were investigated. Co-precipitation hydrothermal method was performed to produce nanoparticles of Pure SoO2 and Sn0.96-xCoxAg0.04O2 (x = 0, 0.02, and 0.04) compounds. Then, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance spectra (DR), UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques were performed to evaluate the compounds. The appropriate doping of Ag and Co was observed, with the formation of no new. Morphological features stayed unchanged, with the exemption of particle size reduction from 52.3 nm to 45.5 nm due to the presence of Ag. The presence of Co led to more homogeneous particle size distribution. The oxygen vacancy defects rose with the increase in the level of dopants. Band gap energy of pure SnO2 decreased from 3.63 eV to 3.45 eV in the presence of silver; and Co increased this energy. P-hydroxybenzoic acid photodegradation was enhanced up to 98% after 60 min by co-doping. Ag/Co co-doping enhanced magnetization saturation and coercivity of tin oxide up to 0.106 emu/g and 1890 Oe, respectively. The conductivity along with dielectric constant of tin oxide rose remarkably due to co-doping of Ag and Co.