HIGHLY LUMINESCENT CU DOPED SNO2 NANOCOMPOSITES AND THEIR PHOTOCATALYTIC APPLICATION AS EXCELLENT METHYLENE DYE REMOVAL

Abstract

Cu doped SnO2 nanostructures were grown using hydrothermal method. The solution was obtained by dissolving stannous chloride in distilled water (DW) with ammonium as surfactant followed by irradiation with ultrasonic vibrations. Obtained samples were characterized by structural, morphological and optical studies. All the peaks in the Xray diffractograms are identified and indexed as structure. In pure form of Cu nanoparticles shows crystalline structures and in high concentration of Cu in SnO2 nanoparticles shows the disappearing of peaks occurring as the pH increases. Negative slope of Williamson–Hall plots indicates compressive strain. Particle size of Cu doped SnO2 nanostructures decreases with increasingthe doping concentration. An optical study shows good luminescence in visible region. A strong quantum effect was evident from the far blue shifted optical direct and indirect band gap. 80% of MO dye removed from waste water.