Synthesis and characteristics of Sb-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Hexagonal Sb-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with perfect wurtzite structure were synthesized by vapor condensation method from Zn–Sb alloy as the raw material in a flowing mixture gas atmosphere of Ar+O2. The synthesized powder has an average size of approximate 60 nm in a narrow distribution. X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) results clearly show that Sb element has been doped into the ZnO nanoparticles. The crystal growth of the ZnO nanoparticles could be controlled by the Sb element doped. Compared to the undoped ZnO nanoparticles, its optical reflectivity and electrical resistivity increase considerably.