Efficient White Light-Emitting Ag-doped CeO₂ Nanoparticles Exhibiting Color Temperature Tunability and High Color Rendering

The present manuscript reports the synthesis of undoped CeO₂ and Ce_1−xAg_xO₂ (x = 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07) nanoparticles using a microwave-assisted co-precipitation route to understand the Ag doping effect in CeO₂ nanoparticles. The structural and optical properties of these nanoparticles were investigated using x-ray diffraction, UV–Vis–NIR, and PL spectroscopy. The XRD result confirmed the formation of cubic fluorite structures with undoped and Ag-doped CeO₂ nanoparticles. The crystallite size of Ag-doped CeO₂ nanoparticles was observed within the range of 26–47 nm. The absorption peak was observed using UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy and obtained at below 400 nm, indicating a blue shift with the incorporation of Ag⁺ ions in the CeO₂ nanolattice, and the causes are explained in terms of the BM effect and electronic transitions. The PL measurements were taken to determine the defects and excitation wavelength. The prepared samples depicted good luminescence properties with a high value color rendering index (CRI). The results demonstrated that Ag-doped CeO₂ nanoparticles can be used for white light emission, since the structural and optical properties of semiconductors were enhanced upon doping with elements such as Ag. Therefore, these nanoparticles may act as promising candidates for various applications such as UV-absorption, photocatalysis, light-emitting diodes, luminescence, and optoelectronics.