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In the present article we report the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures at room temperature using an ultrasonication technique to study their photoluminescent and photocatalytic behaviour. Synthesized nanomaterial showed a strong near band edge ultraviolet (UV) light emission and red emission, thereby finding its use in photoluminescent materials. We developed a UV/ZnO/O2/H2O2 system for the photodegradation of organic pollutants in an aqueous system. We used synthesized nanostructures to photodegrade phenol red (PR) dye to check their photocatalytic activity. The ZnO nanostructures photodegraded more than 90% of the PR dye under UV light irradiation in which photonic energy is converted to chemical energy (photocatalytic energy conversion), thereby exploitable for water purification applications. Synthesized ZnO nanostructures were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible light spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy to investigate their structural, optical, morphological, and compositional properties, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report the fabrication of binary chalcogenide zinc sulfide (ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) paying a facial, economical, eco‐friendly, and template‐free chemical method. The as‐synthesized nanomaterial has a single cubic phase; based on its structural features, it was confirmed that the nanoparticles are grown as QDs (2‐10 nm). Morphological studies display the formation of agglomerated QDs (3 nm). The energy‐dispersive spectroscopy shows that the essential elements are in the stoichiometric ratio as in the precursor solutions. Optical properties confirmed that the QDs are suitable for optoelectronic devices revealing room‐temperature photoluminescence. The charge‐storage electrochemical activity was explored via electrochemical characterization performances. Electrochemical studies show that the synthesized material has charge storage ability. And according to the International Commission on Illumination, the ZnS QDs show green emission, thus presenting that the material will be useful for biological applications. In addition, these nanoparticles exhibit incredible anticancer activities especially against breast cancer cells and may be used for biological or biomedical applications as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work presented reports Mn and Ce inclusion into the hydrothermally synthesized wide band gap CaSnO 3 perovskite. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on tuning properties by Mn and Ce doping in CaSnO 3 material. This work has been done to get the modified version of the perovskite material with enhanced properties suitable for multiple applications. The structural properties (x-ray diffraction) show the material exhibited orthorhombic crystal phase and space symmetry of Pnma as determined from the Rietveld refinement. The dopants actually replaced the host atoms confirmed from the retention of the crystal phase. Morphological tuning is achieved with doping and structures like hollow nano-spheres and agglomerated 2D polygonal discs were achieved. A vital achievement of the work is reduction in the band gap value of the material making the perovskite visibly active. Photoluminescence (PL) of the perovskite was also enhanced by Mn and Ce doping. Commission Internationale de l′Éclairage co-ordinate (CIE) revealed that the nanostructures exhibit green and blue emissions. The diamagnetic CaSnO 3 host perovskite has been modified and converted to ferromagnetic material, made suitable for spintronic applications. Electrochemical behaviour explored indicated the charge storing capacity improved with doping. • Hydrothermal synthesis of Mn and Ce doped CaSnO 3 Nanostructures. • First time report on Mn and Ce doping of CaSnO3 nanostructures. • Photoluminescence indicated suitability of the perovskite material for green and blue LEDs. • Existence of ferromagnetism.occurs by Mn and Ce doping. • Capacitance increases as the concentration of dopant increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present manuscript reports the hydrothermal synthesis of pristine (Zn 2 SnO 4) and copper doped Zn 2 SnO 4 spinals under subcritical conditions. XRD pattern identifies the cubic phase of pristine and its doped nanostructures. Tauc plot and density functional theory (DFT) studies claim the lowering of band gap values up to 2.5 eV upon the insertion of transition metal copper (Cu) into the host lattice. Blue shift occurs due to Moss−Burstein effect upon excess concentration of Copper is realized. Both pristine and Cu doped Zn 2 SnO 4 present light green and dark blue colour upon the irradiation of different UV (252 nm and 365 nm) lamps, respectively. Besides this, Zn 2 SnO 4 shows effectiveness in hosting Cu ions, thus could act as a prospective green/blue emitter. [Display omitted] • Hydrothermal synthesis of Pristine and Cu doped Zn 2 SnO 4 nanostructures under subcritical conditions. • Band-gap reduction up to 2.5 eV upon 10% Cu doping is achieved. • 10% Cu doped Zn 2 SnO 4 shows the blue shift due to the Moss-Burstein Effect. • Theoretical modelling of electronic structure replicates the experimental data precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we describe the formation of rGO nanomaterial from GO using a simple, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and template-free modified Hummer's approach followed by thermal reduction. X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, UV–VIS spectroscopy, photoluminescence, Fourier transform infrared, Raman technique and Thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis are used to investigate the features of the rGO nanomaterial. Structural characteristics of rGO nanomaterial revealed that they grow in a hexagonal phase and within the quantum range. Morphological studies show the production of wrinkled and smooth-like structures with nanoscale thickness. TGA demonstrated that the nanomaterial is extremely stable at elevated temperatures. The optical characteristics of the rGO quantum dots indicated that they are suited for optoelectronic devices with room-temperature photoluminescence. Photoluminescence (PL) investigation revealed that rGO absorbs ultraviolet light and emits green color. The color coordinates of nanomaterials are determined using the Comission Internationale de I'E'clairage CIE diagram, which indicates their compatibility for biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pristine ZnO and Gd-doped ZnO nanostructures were synthesized via the hydrothermal route to study the influence of Gd doping on the growth and properties of the nanostructures. Synthesized nanostructures were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction technique (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and UV–visible spectroscopy. Optical study demonstrated that the nanostructures exhibit good visible light transmittance and absorbs ultraviolet light energy. Photoluminescence (PL) study of the nanostructures showed that Gd-doping enhanced the PL activity of the nanostructures by possible introduction of the defect levels. The corresponding augmentation in PL intensity (visible light luminescent intensity) is attributed to comparative increase in crystallinity, complex defects (traps) and electron hole pair recombination rate. This enhanced luminescent property of Gd-doped ZnO nanostructures can be exploited for the luminescence based applications like sensors, UV-Lasers, phosphors, LEDs, luminescent biolabels, etc. • Synthesis of pristine ZnO and Gd-doped ZnO nanostructures via hydrothermal route. • X-ray diffraction technique showed that incorporation of Gd3+ ions as dopant does not alter the crystal structure but introduces only a slight variation in lattice parameters as reflected by a slight shift in peak positions. • Photoluminescent measurements showed that the intensity of the emission Peaks (particularly at 650 known as orange red emission) gets enhanced as the concentration of Gd3+ ions in the nanostructures increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]