Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical analysis of hydrothermal synthesized AgO incorporated ZrO2 nanostructures

AgO nanospheres incorporated ZrO2 nanocubes were obtained in a novel two stage biochemical assisted hydrothermal route. Firstly, the ZrO2 nanocubes were obtained using the extracted biochemical from Streptomyces sp. then in the identical strategy AgO nanospheres were incorporated on the surfaces of the nanocubes. The obtained nanostructures were characterized systematically for structural, elemental, morphological, optical and electrochemical behaviors. The electron microscopic images indicated the cubic shaped ZrO2 particles of 400-600 nm size, whereas the surface incorporated AgO nanosphere had exhibited similar to 30 nm size. The FT-IR spectrum taken for the nanostructures indicated the biochemical process assisted formation of nanomaterials. The optical bandgap of the ZrO2 nanocubes and AgO incorporated ZrO2 nanocubes were evaluated as 4.92 and 3.33 eV, respectively. Also, the quenching observed in the emission spectrum showed a little evidence of electron transition occurs in the interface between the materials. Further, the analyzed electrochemical studies confirmed that the enhancement of electric conduction of ZrO2 has been made by incorporating the AgO nanospheres.