Structural and optical properties of rare earth doped Zn₂SnO₄ nano-composites prepared via Sol-gel synthesis

Abstract

Doped with different rare earth elements (Dy3+, Sm3+, Yb2+, Eu3+ and Gd2+), Zn2SnO4 nano-structures were synthesized using sol-gel process. Dopants were introduced in the prepared samples at concentrations of 0.034g. X-Rays Diffraction (XRD) results checked the crystallographic nature of the prepared materials. Using Scherrer's equation, the particles sizes were calculated and found to be almost 24 nm. The chemical bond types were identified through the Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The dopants effect on the absorbance spectra was explored via the UV-Visible spectroscopy. The energy band gap (Eopt) of Zn2SnO4 decreased (from 3.89 eV to 2.80 eV) with dopants addition for direct transitions and ranged between 3.93-2.25 eV for indirect transitions. Similarly, Urbach energies (EU) were found within the range of 0.70- 0.42 eV. Results of the effect of the suggested dopants at those concentrations on the structure and optical properties of Zn2SnO4 could be considered to be utilized in the correct form in the industrial applications.

Phytochemical preparation of Zinc Stannate nanoparticles by using lemon and grapefruit peels for removal of cadmium ions

“…It was found by Ping Huang et al [35] that Zn 2 SnO 4 nanoparticles exhibited absorption humps that were comparable to one another. The phenomena of optical absorption is shown by equation (5), which represents the connection between the absorption coefficient and the photon energy (E = hv) for direct band gap material as the previous studies [36]:…”

“…Heavy metal detection has emerged as a crucial application, primarily because heavy metals have detrimental impacts on both the environment and human health [1][2][3][4]. Zinc Stannate (Zn 2 SnO 4 ) nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention due to their notable physicochemical features and remarkable efficacy in detecting heavy metals [5]. The biosynthesis of Zn 2 SnO 4 nanoparticles has been recognized as a sustainable and ecologically friendly approach to enhance the characteristics of these nanoparticles.…”

“…These compounds not only prevent the particles from clumping together and stabilize the Zn 2 SnO 4 nanoparticles, but they also act as both reducing and capping agents. As a result, biosynthesis offers a direct, economical, and ecologically friendly approach that removes the need for using solvents and chemicals that are harmful to the environment [5].…”