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Facile Synthesis of CdO–ZnO Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Application in Visible Light

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Abstract

This research work reveals the CdO–ZnO nanocomposites as photocatalysts for the degradation of MB (Methylene blue), RhB (Rhodamine B), and MO (Methyl orange) dyes. The composites have been prepared through a hydrothermal route with different cadmium oxide contents (0–30%). The nanocomposites were characterized and inspected via X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD illustrates the occurrence of highly crystalline hexagonal wurtzite and cubic phase for ZnO and CdO, respectively, and also demonstrates the crystallite size in the range of 15.14–22.01 nm. FESEM and TEM analysis was employed to confirm the morphology of nanocomposites. FTIR is accomplished to ensure the subsistence of diverse functional groups in the prepared material. The optical properties of a sample are characterized through UV–vis and PL spectroscopy and show the incidence of redshirt and decrease charge carriers recombination rate with increasing the weight percentage of CdO in a composite. The result found enhanced dye degrading efficiency with cadmium oxide contents in composites as compared to bare ZnO nanostructure.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India (Grant No. SB/EMEQ/190/2013), and the authors are thankful to them for providing financial assistance for this research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, UIET, MD University, Rohtak, 124001, India

    Kapil Sirohi

  2. Department of Electronic Science, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 136119, India

    Suresh Kumar, Virender Singh, Nikhil Chauhan & Anil Vohra

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  1. Kapil Sirohi
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Sirohi, K., Kumar, S., Singh, V. et al. Facile Synthesis of CdO–ZnO Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Application in Visible Light. Arab J Sci Eng 49, 273–284 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-023-08072-5

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