Peroxovanadate-assisted solution combustion synthesis, characterization, photocatalysis, and antimicrobial studies of GdVO4 nanoparticals

Abstract We worked on the facile solution combustion reaction to obtain GdVO4 nanoparticles by using peroxovanadate gel for the first time as a precursor, gadolinium nitrate as an oxidizer, and tartaric acid as a fuel. The synthesized nanoparticles were used to investigate the photocatalytic activity against methylene blue dye and antimicrobial activity. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the generation of GdVO4 nanoparticles having a tetragonal phase with a crystallite size of ~ 18 nm. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images exhibit a porous environment of the product. Brunauer Emmett-Teller surface area analysis of GdVO4 nanoparticles indicates a relatively sizable specific surface area of ~ 44.5 m2g–1. Transmission electron microscopy exhibits a regular distribution of particles with a standard particle size varying in the range of 30–90 nm. The band gap of 2.5 eV is projected using the Ultraviolet DRS spectrum of GdVO4 nanoparticles. The photoluminescence spectrum unveils an emission peak at 470 nm. The environmental degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye using GdVO4 nanoparticles as a photocatalyst exhibits ~ 90% of decolorize in the presence of visible light radiation. Also, the inhibiting the growth of microorganism activity of GdVO4 nanoparticles was tested against E- coli, Streptococcus mutants, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans and it was found to be possessing inhibiting property.