X-ray peak profiling, optical parameters and catalytic properties of pure and CdS doped ZnO–NiO nanocomposites

Abstract

In the current study, XRD peak profile analysis, optical and catalytic properties of pure ZnO–NiO and CdS doped ZnO-NiO nanocomposites were investigated. Average crystallite size, strain, dislocation density and bond length were determined with X-ray peak profile analysis. Optical properties such as band gap, extinction coefficient, refractive index, optical conductivity, and dielectric constants were studied by solid phase spectroscopy (SPS). The blue shift was observed in ZnO–NiO as compare to bulk ZnO due to the quantum confinement while red shift was found in CdS/ZnO–NiO nanocomposites as compare to ZnO–NiO nanocomposites is due to bulk defects inducing delocalization and pressure induced effect. The optical conductivity of ZnO–NiO nanocomposites was observed increased with doping of CdS on ZnO–NiO from 4.57 × 10¹⁸ to 6.71 × 10¹⁸ S^–1, respectively. It was observed that catalytic efficiency depends on the particle size and band gap of the nanocomposites.