Hollow microspheres Mg-doped ZrO2 nanoparticles: Green assisted synthesis and applications in photocatalysis and photoluminescence

The present investigation explores various morphologies and phases of Mg doped ZrO2 nanoparticles synthesized by green assisted route. The effect of Mg doping and Aloe Vera gel concentration on phase formation, morphology and optical properties of the nanoparticles were investigated. The photocatalytic performances of the photocatalysts were evaluated for the degradation of Rhodamine B under UV light. 2 mol% Mg doped ZrO2 displayed excellent photocatalytic activity with the degradation rate of 93%. The enhanced activity is attributed to UV light response, suitable monoclinic to tetragonal ratio as well as oxygen vacancies which greatly enhances the charge carrier separation. Further, the PL studies demonstrated that the present photocatalysts were highly potential for the fabrication of blue component of white light emitting diodes. The present work directs road map in designing of new phyto synthesized photocatalysts with superior activity for environmental clean-up and nanophosphors for display devices. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.