Pristine and cadmium-doped zinc oxide: chemical synthesis and characterizations

The chemical synthesis of pristine and cadmium-doped ZnO powders using a simple, cost-effective at 65 °C is reported and characterized for their structures, optical and morphological studies using X-ray diffraction, UV–visible–Near Infra-Red (UV–Vis–NIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy measurement techniques where XRD spectra confirm the formation of ZnO and Cd-doped ZnO with hexagonal crystal structure. The particle size of ZnO is reduced on Cd-doping from 16 to 14 nm. Plane-view surface morphology analysis supported for spherical-type crystallites and UV–Vis–NIR spectra reveal shift in the band edge of ZnO after Cd-doping. Photo-degradation study of Methylene Blue dye shows Pristine ZnO degrades dye faster than Cd-doped ZnO.