Multifunctional applications of self - Assembled 3D CeO2: Cr3+ hierarchical structures synthesized via ultrasound assisted sonochemical route

Abstract

In the present work, CeO2:Cr3+ (1-11 mol %) nanophosphors (NPs) were prepared via ecofriendly ultrasound assisted sonochemical route using Cicer arietinum (C.A.) seeds extract as surfactant. The PXRD results confirm the pure cubic structure with average crystallite size was found to be ~ 6 - 10 nm. The optical energy band gap (Eg) were estimated and found to be ~ 2.95-3.45eV. Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanostructures are considered as new probe due to their high surface areas and exhibits distinctive properties which furnish excellent performance in luminescent applications. The effect of various experimental parameters on growth mechanism of 3D morphology of the product was extensively studied. Raman studies confirm the incorporation of Cr3+ ions into the CeO2 matrix, possible electronic states during excitation, oxygen vacancies and defect sites available. PL studies have shown an intense sharp peak at ~ 689 nm along with vibrancies side bands at ~ 706 and 734 nm. A ~ 689 nm peak was well known R – line and was assigned to the 2Eg → 4A2g transition of Cr3+ ions. The crystal field splitting and Racah parameters were calculated to know the inter-electrons repulsion in host lattice. The CIE chromaticity co-ordinates were located in pure red region. Further, CCT values were in the range 5342 – 7781 K. The optimal CeO2:Cr3+ (9 mol %) NP was successfully explored as a fluorescent probe for visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) on both porous and non-porous surfaces. Aforementioned studies indicate that the prepared sample were quite useful for multifunctional applications namely display devices and forensic applications.