Synthesis and characterization of ZrO2/Bi2MoO6 heterostructured thin films for optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 128; no. 1
• Main Authors: Rakhi, C., Preetha, K. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied physics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chromaticity; Condensed Matter Physics; Dyes; Electron transitions; Emission analysis; Emission spectra; Excitation spectra; Film thickness; Heterostructures; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials science; Morphology; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Optoelectronics; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Precursors; Processes; Room temperature; Surfaces and Interfaces; Synthesis; Thin Films; Ultraviolet radiation; Wastewater; Zirconium dioxide; Thin films; Mixed metal oxides; SILAR; Photocatalysis; Tungstate
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-021-05161-w
• EISSN: 1432-0630
• ISSN: 0947-8396

Heterostructured semiconductor photocatalysts received extensive research attention due to their applicability in wastewater purification. Our present work reports the synthesis and characterization of novel heterostructured (ZrO
2
/Bi
2
MoO
6
) semiconducting photocatalyst thin films. Effects of precursor concentration on the growth, structural, morphological and optical characteristics were discussed in detail. Heterostructure formation was well explained with the support of XRD analysis and was further confirmed by EDAX. Morphology and film thickness were examined through SEM. Bandgap energy was estimated from Tauc plot, and the value ranges in between 2.03 and 3.253 eV. Optical properties were modified by means of changing morphology through precursor concentration variation and the optimized sample with lower electron–hole recombination rate and higher absorbance onset was used as photocatalyst for degradation of MB dye under natural sunlight. Effect of catalyst dosage and initial dye concentration on the photocatalytic reaction process were also evaluated. Room temperature PL emission peaks were observed at 420, 467.28, 501 and 600 nm with intense maxima observed in the blue region on UV light excitation. Electronic transitions taking place within the band levels were explained on the basis of excitation spectra corresponding to 420 nm emission wavelength. The perception of the emission color was demonstrated with the help of chromaticity diagram.