Unusual photoluminescence of Cu-ZnO and its correlation with photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)

摘要

Cu-ZnO was synthesized by sol-gel route with a varied copper concentration of 1, 2 and 3 mol%. The synthesized materials were structurally characterized with powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, morphologically using a field emission scanning electron microscope, and electronic properties were studied with UV-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Variation in Cu doping showed enhancement/quenching in photoluminescence of ZnO. This special characteristic is reflected in photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI).