Structural and Optical Properties of Ni-doped ZnO
nanoparticle
Chithira P R1, Teny Theresa John1*
1
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Goa & India
Corresponding author’s e-mail: teny@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in ,Phone: 0832-2580253 (off)
*
Abstract
ZnO:Ni nanoparticle were successfully prepared by using
chemical bath deposition method. The structural and optical
characterizations were carried out by XRD,Photoluminescence
and UV absorption techniques.
Keywords: Chemical bath deposition ,nanoparticle,ZnO.
Introduction
Due to its wide direct band gap ( 3.37 eV) and
large exciton binding energy(60 meV) ZnO is of great
interest for photonic applications. Since the theoretical
prediction of room temperature ferromagnetism in
transition metal doped ZnO by Dietl et al [1] ZnO based
diluted magnetic semiconductors have been extensively
studied for the potential application in spintronic
devices. Room temperature ferromagnetism has been
reported in various transition metal doped ZnO systems
prepared by different techniques like sputtering [4],
PLD [3] etc.
photoluminescence spectrum shows an emission at
around 388 nm for all samples corresponding to the
bandgap .The origin of the blue emission around 445
nm can be due to the linkage between Zn and [OH-]ion
exists in the surface states[2].The much prominent
visible luminescence in the un doped sample is
quenched as a result of Ni doping. This can be attributed
to impurities which will act as traps will shift the
photoluminescence spectrum to visible range[3]
Experimental Details
To the aqueous solution of Zn Acetate
(Zn(CH3COO)2)equimolar aqueous solution of Ni
Acetate(Ni(CH3COO)2) was added with continuous
stirring for Zn1-xNixO samples prior to the addition of
equimolar solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) so
that the x values varies as 0.01,0.02,0.03, and 0.05.The
solution was then kept at room temperature for 24
hours. The precipitate formed is filtered and dried in a
hot air oven at 60 degrees overnight. The dried sample
was then crushed to form fine powder and annealed at
1000C for 1 hour.
Results and Discussions
Figure 1 shows the XRD pattern of the undoped and Ni
doped ZnO samples. The XRD data shows peaks
corresponding to the hexagonal wurzite structure
(JCPDS No.36-1451) Widening of the peaks for Ni
doped samples shows a reduction in the grain size from
29.30 nm from the undoped sample to 8.76 nm for the
Ni doped sample. No trace of Ni metals or oxides or
any other impurity phases were observed in any of the
doped samples. The bandgap was found to be 3.3 eV
from the UV absorption studies. The Ni doping
introduces a mid band gap absorption in the visible
region compared to the undoped sample. The
Fig. 1: XRD pattern of undoped and Ni doped ZnO
nanoparticle
Conclusion
Pure and Ni doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared
successfully by chemical bath deposition. No impurity
phase exists in the samples as observed from the XRD
pattern. The PL study shows much prominent visible
luminescence in the undoped sample which is quenched
as a result of Ni doping.
Reference
[1]Dietl T.Ohno H,Matsukura F,Cibert J,Ferrand D.Zener
model description of ferromagnetism.Science 2000;287:1019
[2] Teny Theresa John , K. R. Priolkar, Aurélie Bessière , P.
R. Sarode , and Bruno Viana, J. Phys. Chem. c,2011, 115 (37),
pp 18070–18075.
[3] Dianwu Wu a, Mei Yanga, Zhongbing Huang a, Guangfu
Yin a, Xiaoming Liao a, Yunqing Kang a, Xianfu Chen a,Hui
Wang b Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 330 (2009)
380–385
[4]D.C Look,Applied Physics Letters.volume 85,Number 22