Microwave synthesis of surface functionalized ErFeO3 nanoparticles for photoluminescence and excellent photocatalytic activity

Herein, we report the origin of inherent multicolor photoluminescence in functionalized and surface modified ErFeO3 nanoparticles. Moreover, we have found unprecedented photocatalytic property of functionalized ErFeO3 nanoparticles in the degradation of a model water-contaminant. Along with theoretical confirmation and careful investigation through UV–visible absorption and fluorescence study says that the ligand-to-metal charge-transfer from tartrate ligand to the lowest unoccupied energy levels of Fe3+ or Er3+ metal ions in the NPs and f-f transitions (Er3+) play the key role in the emergence of multiple photoluminescence from the ligand functionalized ErFeO3 NPs.