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MgO nanoparticles with altered structural and optical properties by doping (Er3+) rare earth element for improved photocatalytic activity

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Abstract

The preparation of pure MgO- and Er3+-doped MgO nanostructures using a facile wet chemical process is described in this work. As dopants, various concentrations (1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt%) of Er were utilized. The optical, structural, topological, compositional, and photocatalytic properties of the produced nanomaterials were studied. It was observed that differing Er3+ concentrations have a significant impact on the band gap of pure MgO nanomaterials. A considerable reduction in band gap energy was achieved from 3.81 to 3.46 eV. The point zero charge (PZC) of the synthesized nanomaterials is also determined using salt titration method. The pH-dependent photocatalytic activities were also studied. Under UV irradiation, the 5wt% Er: MgO catalyst shows high efficiency in photodegradation of methyl orange (anionic) (79% at pH 4) and methylene blue (cationic) dye (88% at pH 12).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Parvathy’s Arts and Science College, Dindigul, 624002, India

    R. Vijaya shanthi

  2. Department of Physics, The Madura College, Madurai, 625011, India

    R. Vijaya shanthi & K. Neyvasagam

  3. Department of Physics, E.M.G Yadava Women’s College, Madurai, 6250014, India

    R. Kayalvizhi

  4. Department of Physics, University College of Engineering, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India

    M. John Abel

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  1. R. Vijaya shanthi
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Vijaya shanthi, R., Kayalvizhi, R., John Abel, M. et al. MgO nanoparticles with altered structural and optical properties by doping (Er3+) rare earth element for improved photocatalytic activity. Appl. Phys. A 128, 133 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-021-05141-0

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