Synthesis and characterization of cadmium doped on ZnO thin films prepared by SILAR method for photocatalytic degradation properties of MB under UV irradiation

The presented manuscript deals with the synthesis of uniformly coated nanocrystalline ZnO and Cd-doped ZnO thin films with various concentrations (1, 3, and 5 wt%) via the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The physical and chemical attributes of the prepared films were examined through certain analytical techniques such as XRD, SEM with EDS, UV, PL, and RAMAN spectroscopy. The XRD, SEM, and Raman results confirmed that Cd is successfully incorporated on the surface of ZnO. The optical properties of the films were analyzed from absorption studies of Cd:ZnO thin films. Furthermore, the estimated optical band gap values of the Cd:ZnO films decrease from 3.03 to 2.95 eV. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized ZnO and Cd:ZnO thin films were investigated against the methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. The results of methylene blue photodegradation reached (49.6%) for ZnO films and (55.2%, 71.4%, and 82.5%) for Cd:ZnO films. Finally, this research suggests that the Cd:ZnO films exhibit better photocatalytic efficiency compared to the ZnO films.

Automated summary

The manuscript focuses on the synthesis of uniformly coated nanocrystalline ZnO and Cd-doped ZnO thin films through the SILAR method. Analytical techniques such as XRD, SEM with EDS, UV, PL, and RAMAN spectroscopy were used to examine the physical and chemical attributes of the prepared films. Results confirmed the successful incorporation of Cd on the surface of ZnO. Optical properties of the films were analyzed through absorption studies, indicating a decreased optical band gap for the Cd:ZnO films. Photocatalytic properties of the films were evaluated through methylene blue photodegradation experiments, showing higher efficiency for Cd:ZnO films compared to ZnO films.