Influence of Ni Doping on Structural and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanopowders Synthesized by Sol-gel Process

Abstract

In present work influence of Ni dopant on structural and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles were presented. Pure and Ni doped ZnO nanoparticles are successfully synthesized by simple, low cost, environment friendly sol-gel method. Structural and optical properties of nanoparticles including crystalline size, surface morphology, optical absorption and emission properties of nanoparticles were analyzed using X Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis optical absorption (UV-Vis) and Photo Luminescence (PL) spectroscopy techniques. XRD spectra confirm the formation of hexagonal wurtzite structure with good crystallinity. SEM confirms the formation of almost spherical morphology by incorporation of Ni into ZnO lattice. Optical absorption spectrum reveals significant blue shift due to Ni doping. PL spectra with high luminescence intensity in the ultraviolet, blue and green wave length region confirmed from spectra. This work also specifies significance of nanopowders as building materials for fabrication of optoelectronic devices mainly LED’s.

Keywords

• Nanoparticles
• ZnO
• Characterization
• Sol-gel
• SEM.