Synthesis, Characterization, Photocatalytic Activity and Ethanol-Sensing Properties of In_2O_3 and Eu~(3+):In_2O_3 Nanoparticles

摘要

In the present endeavor, Indium oxide (In_2O_3) and Europium doped In_2O_3 (In_2O_3:0.5%Eu~(3+) and In_2O_3:5%Eu~(3+)) nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and UV-Visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis). XRD revealed that nanoparticles were of pure bixbyite-type cubic phase and the crystallite size decreased with the Eu~(3+) doping. SEM micrographs showed that particles were spherical in shape. Synthesized nanoparticles were used for photo degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight and the results clearly showed that In_2O_3:5%Eu~(3+) nanoparticles exhibited higher activity than pure In_2O_3 nanoparticles. For gas sensing characteristics, the nanoparticles were applied as thick film onto alumina substrate and tested at different operating temperatures. The results showed that the optimum operating temperature of the gas sensors prepared from synthesized nanoparticles is 300°C. The investigations revealed that the addition of Eu~(3+) as a dopant enhanced the sensing response of In_2O_3 nanoparticles appreciably.