Band-gap alteration of Zn2SnO4 nanostructures for optical and photo-luminescent applications

Present manuscript reports the hydrothermal synthesis of pristine (Zn2SnO4) and copper doped Zn2SnO4 spinals under subcritical conditions. XRD pattern identifies the cubic phase of pristine and its doped nanostructures. Tauc plot and density functional theory (DFT) studies claim the lowering of band gap values up to 2.5 eV upon the insertion of transition metal copper (Cu) into the host lattice. Blue shift occurs due to Moss−Burstein effect upon excess concentration of Copper is realized. Both pristine and Cu doped Zn2SnO4 present light green and dark blue colour upon the irradiation of different UV (252 nm and 365 nm) lamps, respectively. Besides this, Zn2SnO4 shows effectiveness in hosting Cu ions, thus could act as a prospective green/blue emitter.