Synthesis and characterization of samarium oxide (Sm2O3) nanoparticles for testing electrochemical sensing and photocatalytic applications

Various solvent-mediated samarium oxide (Sm2O3) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using the
microwave-assisted precipitation process. The structural, morphological, elemental, optical and electrochemical
characteristics of the prepared Sm2O3 nanoparticles (SONPs) were examined using powder XRD, FTIR, SEM,
EDX, TEM, UV, RTPL and CV analysis. The smaller particle size of cubic crystal-structured SONPs is examined in
the range of ~5-15 nm. Optical absorbance spectra exhibited the wide band gap values of the synthesized SONPs.
The prominent blue-green emission bands were detected in the RTPL emission spectra due to the presence of
surface-related defects. The electrochemical behaviour of the SONPs was primarily examined using CV analysis.
The photodegradation of the synthesized SONPs was examined using methylene blue (MB) dye, and a photodegradation
efficiency value of 88.8% was obtained.