Synthesis and characterization of Pb-doped ZnO nanoparticles and their photocatalytic applications

Abstract

Zn1-xPbxO nanoparticles (NPs) (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) were synthesized using a sol–gel method. Transmission electron microscopy showed NPs with sizes from 42 to 55 nm for the case of high Pb concentration and undoped ZnO NPs, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that the undoped and Pb-doped ZnO NPs were crystallized in a hexagonal wurtzite structure. In addition, the XRD results were analysed using size–strain plot to calculate the lattice strain of the prepared samples. From the results of optical characterizations, the band gap values of the Pb-doped ZnO NPs decreased in comparison to the band gap value of the undoped ZnO NPs. Evidence of dopant incorporation and O-vacancy concentration of the ZnO NPs were demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the Pb-doped ZnO NPs. Finally, the obtained products were used as photocatalysts under visible-light irradiation to remove methylene blue dye.