Morphology, structural and photoluminescence properties of shaping triple semiconductor YxCoO:ZrO2 nanostructures

In the present investigation, YxCoO:ZrO2 (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.4) nanostructures (NS) are synthesized by co-precipitation and surface reduction methods using triethanol amine as surfactant and hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent. Triple-shaped semiconductor crystal features, morphology, optical absorptivity and chemical composition are determined by XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), UV-Vis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD patterns revealed mixed phase of tetragonal and cubic structure of YxCoO: ZrO2 with less impurity peaks. SEM morphology indicates nanoparticles (NPs) of YxCoO:ZrO2 spherical in nature with particle agglomerations. Average Grain size, grain boundary and interpore diameter were found to be similar to 55 nm, similar to 78 nm and similar to 115 nm, respectively. FTIR spectra of YxCoO:ZrO2 (0 <= x <= 0.4) show stretching and bending peaks at similar to 533/cm (O-Y-O bond), similar to 1024/cm (Zr-O-Zr bond), broad peak at similar to 3319/cm (Y-OH) and optical absorptivity of YxCoO:ZrO2 (0 <= x <= 0.4) with lambda(max) spread over 286 nm to 270 nm, and absorption edges appeared in between 189 and 254 nm. Chemical compositional analysis exhibited binding energies of singlet O1s at 529.8 eV, Y 3d (5/2) and Y 3d(3/2) observed at 157.8 eV and 163.9 eV, respectively, while Zr 3d(5/2) and Zr 3d(3/2) are observed at 180.4 eV and 182.7 eV. Photoluminescence spectrum (PL) of YxCoOZrO2 NS exhibit peaks centred around similar to 455 nm (UV region) in case of Y0.4Co0.5OZr0.1O2 NS and for Y0.3Co0.5OZr0.2O2 NS similar to 538 nm (visible region) with various Y-, O- and Co-related native defects. Emission band was observed at UV region with similar to 415 nm to similar to 480 nm broad peak (Y0.4Co0.5OZr0.1O2 NS, lambda(excitation) = 380 nm) and similar to 502 nm to similar to 582 nm in case of Y0.3Co0.5OZr0.2O2 NS with lambda(excitation) = 410 nm. PL emission spectra of YxCoO:ZrO2 have two emission peaks centred at similar to 455 nm and similar to 538 nm with emissions bands with blue and green wavelengths. The transitions can be ascertained with shielding of 4f shells of Y+3 ions by 6s, 5d shells by the interaction of the other Y+3 ions.

Automated summary

In this research, YxCoO:ZrO2 nanostructures were synthesized and analyzed for their crystal structure, morphology, optical properties, and chemical composition. The materials showed potential for various applications based on their unique characteristics.