Synthesis of ZrO <sub>2</sub> :Dy <sup>3+</sup> Nanoparticles: Photoluminescent, Photocatalytic, and Electrochemical Sensor Studies
K. Gurushantha, K.S. Anantharaju, Nagaraju Kottam, K. Keshavamurthy, C.R. Ravikumar, B.S. Surendra, Arumugam Murugan, H. C. Ananda Murthy
Abstract
Solution combustion was employed to create a series of ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ (1-11 mol percent) nanoparticles (NPs) using oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH) as the fuel. ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs were subjected to calcination at about 700°C. ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs comprised of 1 to 11 mol% of Dy 3+ were characterized by employing the X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), UV-visible, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) techniques. The crystallite diameters of 1 to 11 mol% ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs were observed to range from 8.1 nm to 16.3 nm, exhibiting spherical shape. According to BET tests, the pore volume of ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs was determined to be 100.129 cm 3 /g. The mean pore diameter of ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs was determined to be 4.803 nm from the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) plot. The photoluminescence and photocatalytic dye degradation properties of ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs were investigated. The acid red 88 (AR88) dye was applied to appraise the photocatalytic activities of the NPs under UV irradiation. ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs with 3 mol% Dy 3+ exhibited improvised photocatalytic activity due to the operative departure of charge carriers. The electrochemical examination of ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NP modified carbon paste electrode in 0.1 N HCl demonstrated considerable redox potential output, as evidenced by cyclic voltammetric and amperometric measurements. The electrochemical sensor studies on ZrO 2 :Dy 3+ NPs exhibited potentiality towards sensing of highly toxic metals like mercury and lead.