Impact of Ag doping on structural, optical, morphological, optical and photoluminescent properties of ZnO nanoparticles

Surface functionalized silver-doped ZnO nanocatalyst: a sustainable cooperative catalytic, photocatalytic and antibacterial platform for waste treatment

“…In dark conditions, the catalytic activity of Ag-doped ZnO NPs may arise due to various oxygen defects. These defects have been confirmed by PL analysis 52 .…”

“…53 However, an excess amount of photocatalyst might induce high aggregation, affecting the availability of the photocatalyst surface area and thereby decreasing the rate of degradation. 52,64,65…”

“…This relationship decreases the e --h+ recombination fashioned by UV light radiation and improves the photocatalytic actions 51 . Reduced UV radiation was due to the formation of Ag atoms (interstitial position) at the ZnO lattice by producing many defects 52 . Ag 2+ ions can bind into the ZnO matrix in two traditions that may replace Zn 2+ ions by producing double ionized oxygen spaces or combining them as interstitials 53 .…”

“…So, the intensity at ≤ 4 wt% Ag-doped ZnO NPs decreases because Ag atoms substitute into the Zn atom sites and then donate 2 electrons of Ag atoms during band creation and shifting of charge from Ag 2+ to resulting VB to photoluminescence 53 . At ≥6 wt% Ag-doped ZnO, an excess of Ag 2+ ions are synthesized interstitially, producing lattice defects and rising intensity with a further increase in Ag doping 52 . Even though, at a high percentage of Ag, its atoms accumulated into Ag 2 O, as observed from the XRD data.…”

“…Even though, at a high percentage of Ag, its atoms accumulated into Ag 2 O, as observed from the XRD data. Ag as a dopant in ZnO lattice decides the intensity order (decrease/increase) of photoluminescence 52 .…”