Zinc content (x) induced impact on crystallographic, optoelectronic, and photocatalytic parameters of Cd1-xZnxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) ternary nanopowder

We have synthesized Cd1-xZnxO (0 <= x <= 1) nanopowder by co-precipitation method for its comprehensive study. The Crystalline phase is changed from rocksalt CdO to wurtzite ZnO with an increase in 'x'. The existence of H2O, COO-, CdO, and ZnO group are confirmed by FTIR. SEM analysis investigated the spherical structure for x = 0.0 & 0.2 and flakes morphology for x = 0.4 & 0.6 and hexagonal block structure for x = 0.8 & 1.0. UV-Vis spectroscopy insured the increasing trend in bandgap energy within the range 2.5 <= E-g <= 3.5 eV. PL results revealed a blue shift in excitonic and band edge emission. Methyl blue dye is being selected for decomposition using different samples of Cd1-xZnxO (0 <= x <= 1) nanopowder. It is found that sample with x = 0.8 has the highest catalytic efficiency under UV light. Moreover, higher efficiency of the ternary system is managed by its highly crystalline structure, less microstrain, large surface/volume ratio, and optical bandgap.

Automated summary

The synthesis of Cd1-xZnxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nanopowder by co-precipitation method led to the discovery of varying crystal structures, higher photocatalytic activity associated with different morphologies and bandgap energies.