SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, PHOTOCATALYTIC AND PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS OF A NOVEL SEMICONDUCTOR CUPBO NANOMATERIAL

Abstract

A new semiconductor CuPbO nanomaterial has been prepared where lead nitrate and copper nitrate were co-precipitated to form this compound. The high-resolution scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that CuPbO possesses a nanobundle flower-like structure. XRD confirmed the occurrence of Cu, Pb & O in the fabricated compound. The size of the nanomaterial is determined for being ~200 nm by high-resolution transmission electron microscopic analysis. The photoluminescence analysis showed the possible electron transfer and crevasses between Cu and PbO causes recombine of electron-hole pairs. The ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectral analysis showed that the nanomaterial has a low band gap energy. The material was found to be a good recyclable photocatalyst in the decomposition of diamond green B dye. As a photoelectrode, CuPbO proved its efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cell applications.