Study of UV-sensitive Ag doped WO3 prepared using Ultra-Sonification

Abstract In this research work, authors have investigated optical and structural properties of silver doped tungsten oxide. The method used for preparation of samples is rapid, easy and prolific wet chemical precipitation synthesis technique with novel feature of ultrasonification. A series of samples with varying concentration of dopant was prepared and characterized using different sophisticated instruments. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) reveal formation of hexagonal crystal structures with an average crystallite size of 25 nm. TEM images show square and rectangular nanoplates with silver nanoparticles deposited on them in case of pure and Ag doped tungsten oxide respectively. A considerable decrease in band gap in Ag doped WO3 was observed with the increase in doping concentration(0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 mmol). UV-Rays with wavelength ranging from 225 nm to 400 nm were completely absorbed and blue emission was obtained from as-synthesized nanocomposites when excited by 325 nm ultraviolet light. This novel property of Ag doped WO3 shows great potential in preparation of UV-light sensitive “smart glasses”.