Synergistic Band-Gap Engineering and Visible-Light Activation in Fe, La Doped ZnO Nanoparticles
9 affiliations
- 1Department of Physics, School of Advanced Sciences
- 2VIT-AP University
- 3Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
- 4National Institute of Technology
- 5Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- 6Technical Physics Division
- 7Department of Physics and Astronomy
- 8Central University of South Bihar
- 9Department of Physics
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Fe and La- co -doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by using the sol–gel method. We investigated the samples’ structural, morphological, vibrational, and optical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Rietveld refinement of the XRD pattern confirmed the p6 3 mc space group and the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the samples, with no formation of secondary phases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that, in Fe- and La-doped ZnO, zinc exists as Zn 2+, iron as Fe 3+, and lanthanum as La 3+ . These substances have substantial surface oxygen defects, which account for the visible emission bands. FTIR spectra confirm the presence of a hexagonal wurtzite structure and of the chemical bonds and functional groups in the sample. UV–vis DRS spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the band gap due to Fe doping. Fe and La doping reduce the band gap of ZnO, causing a redshift that enhances interaction with visible light. This makes Fe, La-doped ZnO a potential photocatalyst. The PL spectra exhibit UV emission from excitonic recombination and visible emissions, including violet light from zinc vacancies and green light from zinc–oxygen divacancy defect transitions. The correlated color temperature values are 6425–6503 K, which closely match ideal cool white light. This makes it ideal for outdoor white LED applications due to its enhanced visual acuity and brightness.
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BibTeX
@article{parida2026synergistic,
title = {{Synergistic Band-Gap Engineering and Visible-Light Activation in Fe, La Doped ZnO Nanoparticles}},
author = {Priyadarsini Parida and Jayashree Patra and Parth Patel and Santosh Kumar Sahoo and U. K. Goutam and Somnath Mahapatra and Vijay Raj Singh and Virendra Kumar Verma},
journal = {ACS Omega},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1021/acsomega.5c13670},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c13670},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Synergistic Band-Gap Engineering and Visible-Light Activation in Fe, La Doped ZnO Nanoparticles
AU - Priyadarsini Parida
AU - Jayashree Patra
AU - Parth Patel
AU - Santosh Kumar Sahoo
AU - U. K. Goutam
AU - Somnath Mahapatra
AU - Vijay Raj Singh
AU - Virendra Kumar Verma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/13
JO - ACS Omega
DO - 10.1021/acsomega.5c13670
UR - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c13670
AB - High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Fe and La- co -doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by using the sol–gel method. We investigated the samples’ structural, morphological, vibrational, and optical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Rietveld refinement of the XRD pattern confirmed the p6 3 mc space group and the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the samples, with no formation of secondary phases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that, in Fe- and La-doped ZnO, zinc exists as Zn 2+, iron as Fe 3+, and lanthanum as La 3+ . These substances have substantial surface oxygen defects, which account for the visible emission bands. FTIR spectra confirm the presence of a hexagonal wurtzite structure and of the chemical bonds and functional groups in the sample. UV–vis DRS spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the band gap due to Fe doping. Fe and La doping reduce the band gap of ZnO, causing a redshift that enhances interaction with visible light. This makes Fe, La-doped ZnO a potential photocatalyst. The PL spectra exhibit UV emission from excitonic recombination and visible emissions, including violet light from zinc vacancies and green light from zinc–oxygen divacancy defect transitions. The correlated color temperature values are 6425–6503 K, which closely match ideal cool white light. This makes it ideal for outdoor white LED applications due to its enhanced visual acuity and brightness.
SN - 2470-1343
ER -