Theoretical and experimental analysis of La-doped CuO for their application an efficient photocatalyst

In this research work, pure and lanthanum (La)-doped copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO-NPs) are synthesized using a sol-gel technique which is quite simple, efficient and cost-effective as well. Various characterization techniques have been employed to investigate the effect of rare earth dopant (La) on morphological, compositional, structural, optical, and vibrational properties of fabricated nanomaterial which is tested as potential photo catalyst. Quite interestingly, the bandgap was reduced by the introduction of dopant element. Additionally, the average particle size was also reduced for doped samples. Degradation of methylene blue (MB) was investigated under UV visible light for 100 min in the presence of synthesized photocatalysts. The best efficiency of 80% is achieved by 2% La-doped sample attributed to Burstein-Moss effect. Experimental results are well consistent with the results of the simulation which were realized while using finite element analysis (FEA) technique in RF module (version 5.3a) of COMSOL Multiphysics. This simulation technique helped to understand the insight about the various aspect of the photocatalytic process reported here.

Automated summary

In this research, pure and La-doped CuO-NPs were synthesized using a simple, efficient, and cost-effective sol-gel technique. Characterization techniques were employed to investigate the effect of La dopant on the properties of CuO-NPs. The introduction of dopant element reduced the bandgap and average particle size. The photocatalytic efficiency was tested using synthesized photocatalysts, with the best efficiency achieved by the 2% La-doped sample. Simulation results using finite element analysis in COMSOL Multiphysics were consistent with experimental results.