Photoluminescence and electrochemical studies of Ce3+-doped Zn2V2O7 nanoparticles synthesized via green route

Abstract

Zn₂V₂O₇:Ce Nanoparticles (NPs) (ZV:Ce), are produced by a solution combustion process mediated by an extract from $Menthaspicata$ leaves. The diffraction pattern shows alignment with the ZV host matrix. The crystals grown with monoclinic crystal structure and $C2/c(2/m)$ space group. Furthermore, as the dopant concentration changes, a shift in the diffraction pattern was noticed. Scherrer's approach yielded a crystallite size that nearly matched the results of transmission electron microscopy research. The surface morphology changes from irregularly shaped NPs to hexagonal ones. Furthermore, a modulation of E_g is shown by Tauc's plot analysis of the UV-visible absorption spectra, which shifts from 2.98 to 2.87 eV with increasing dopant quantity. The PL emission spectra at 310 nm consist of peaks located at 417, 457, 482 and 526 nm. The emission peaks at 417, 457 and 482 nm belong to the 5D_3/2 → ²F_7/2 transition and 526 nm can be attributed to the 5D_3/2 → ²F_7/2 transition of Ce³⁺ within the host matrix. The CIE coordinates fall in the light blue emission region. The average CCT of 9078 K shows a cooler appearance. From all these results, the present nano phosphor materials might be a promising candidate in blue LEDs and in display technology. The materials showing a cooler appearance find applications in museums, galleries, offices, outdoor lighting, etc. Electrochemical studies revealed that super capacitance values ranged from 94.67 to 158.12 F/g at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, with increasing Ce³⁺ quantity in Zn₂V₂O₇ nanoparticles.