Cyclic Voltammetry and Photoluminescence Studies of Ag-doped ZnO Nanoparticles

Abstract

Aims: Synthesis of Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver (Ag) doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using simple, fast, effective and economic co-precipitation method and study of Cyclic Voltammetry and Photoluminescence characteristics. Background: Herein, we prepared Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver (Ag) doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using simple, fast, effective and economic co-precipitation method. The superior surface characteristics and antibacterial effects in the nanoscale range of ZnO encourage us to work on the ZnO NPs. Also, Ag has long been employed for its antibacterial qualities. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that ZnO NPs show hexagonal phase and additional peak obtained with Ag doping in ZnO. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is being used for the investigation of electronic structure and defects in NPs. According to the PL study, Ag doping results in a decrease in the intensity of near band edge emission (NBE) and enhanced intensity of broad visible emission (BVE) with Ag doping in ZnO. Measurements from cyclic voltammetry (CV) demonstrate approximately symmetric peaks which are related with anodic and cathodic behaviors of the NPs based electrode. It is found that the peak separation increases with Ag doping in ZnO, which could be associated with the variations in the transfer of electrons at the interface between working electrode and the solution. Since peak potentials in the case of ZnO and Ag-ZnO are totally different which confirm the incorporation of Ag doping into ZnO NPs. Enhancement in the cathodic peaks with silver doping clarifies that number of electrons incorporated into photocatalysis process enhance with each repeated cycle, confirming an increase in the reaction activity of Ag-ZnO NPs. The obtained results indicate that Ag doped ZnO NPs may find application as efficient photocatalytic material. Objective: Synthesis of Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver (Ag) doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using simple, fast, effective and economic co-precipitation method. Study of Cyclic Voltammetry and Photoluminescence characteristics. Method: Simple, fast, effective and economic chemical co-precipitation method is used for synthesis of nanoparticles. Result: According to the PL study, Ag doping results in a decrease in the intensity of near band edge emission (NBE) and enhanced intensity of broad visible emission (BVE) with Ag doping in ZnO. Measurements from cyclic voltammetry (CV) demonstrate approximately symmetric peaks which are related with anodic and cathodic behaviours of the NPs based electrode. It is found that the peak separation increases with Ag doping in ZnO, which could be associated with the variations in the transfer of electrons at the interface between working electrode and the solution. Since peak potentials in the case of ZnO and Ag-ZnO are totally different which confirm the incorporation of Ag doping into ZnO NPs. Enhancement in the cathodic peaks with silver doping clarifies that number of electrons incorporated into photocatalysis process enhance with each repeated cycle, confirming an increase in the reaction activity of Ag-ZnO NPs. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that Ag doped ZnO NPs are well suited in applications such as efficient photocatalytic and antibacterialmaterial.