Photocatalytic and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Er/Eu-doped ZnO samples

Augmentation of optical and magnetic properties of ZnO system via mono- and co-doping is an efficient approach to achieve enhanced ferromagnetism and photocatalytic activity. In this scenario, we made an endeavor to prepare the nanocrystalline ZnO, ZnO:Eu, and ZnO:(Eu, Er) samples through a co-precipitation technique. Structural analysis ruled out the effectual substitution of Eu and Er in the ZnO lattice without disturbing the original structure. Both ZnO:Eu and ZnO:(Eu, Er) NPs exhibited lower optical band gap values than pure ZnO. In M-H studies at room temperature, ferromagnetic behavior was observed in ZnO, ZnO:Eu, and ZnO:(Eu, Er) NPs. Expectedly, ZnO:(Eu, Er) NPs showed highest H-2 evolution than both ZnO and ZnO:Eu NPs beneath solar spectrum. The possible roots behind the extended H-2 production are discussed in detail. Hence, ZnO:(Eu, Er) NPs may find in applications is photocatalysis and spintronics.