Synthesis, structure, PL and photocatalytic activities of La2O2CO3·CeO2·ZnO fabricated by co-precipitation method

• A novel trimetallic nanocomposite La2O2CO3·CeO2·ZnO was synthesized.
• The nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR and PL.
• Size of as synthesized sample varies 16–30 nm and those of annealed 26–70 nm.
• PL behavior of La2O2CO3·CeO2·ZnO is excitation wavelength dependent.
• Excellent photocatalytic activity at pH 9 in presence of H2O2 observed.

A novel tri metallic oxide nanocomposite La2O2CO3·CeO2·ZnO has been synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method. The nanocomposite has been characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR and PL spectra. The crystallite size of the La2O2CO3·CeO2·ZnO was calculated using XRD data. The crystallite size of the as synthesized sample varies in the range of 16–30 nm and those annealed at 950 °C in the range of 26–70 nm. Excitation at different wavelengths showed PL in UV and visible regions. It has been found that PL behavior of La2O2CO3·CeO2·ZnO is excitation wavelength dependent. This PL property is conflicting to well-known Kasha’s rule of excitation wavelength dependence of emission spectrum. The catalyst shows better photocatalytic dye degradation efficiency in slightly alkaline pH in presence of H2O2.

XRD spectrum of novel La2O2CO3·CeO2·ZnO trimetallic nanocomposite annealed at 950 °C; La2O2CO3 (▿▿), CeO2 (●) and ZnO (■). The composite shows excellent photocatalytic activity at pH 9 in presence of H2O2.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide