Band gap narrowing and photocatalytic studies of Nd3+ ion-doped SnO2 nanoparticles using solar energy

[摘要] Pure and Nd³⁺-doped tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles have been prepared by the solâ€�?�gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, energydispersive spectroscopy and UVâ€�?�visible spectroscopy. The XRD patterns of all the samples are identified as tetragonal rutile-type SnO₂ phase which is further confirmed by TEM analysis. Neodymium doping introduces band gap narrowing in the prepared samples and enhances their absorption towards the visible-light region. The photocatalytic activity of all the samples was evaluated by monitoring the degradation of methylene blue solution under day light illumination and it was found that the photocatalytic activity significantly increases for the samples calcined at 600 than 400°C, which is due to the effective charge separation of photogenerated electronâ€�?�hole pairs. The efficiency of photocatalysts was found to be related to neodymium doping percentage and calcination temperature.

[学科分类] 材料工程

[关键词] Band gap narrowing;photocatalytic activity;solâ€�?�gel process;tin oxide.