Structural and luminescence properties of Ni, Pb, Cu-doped ZnO nano particles by co-precipitation method-Opto electronic devices

In this study, the equi molar mixing of selected divalent metal ions such as Ni, Pb and Cu with ZnO nano particles are prepared through decomposition of cationic acetate solid solution. The effects on the structural, compositional and optical properties are discussed. Simple solution- thermal method is suitable and more economical for large-scale production. The powder X- ray diffraction pattern of the equal amount of divalent metal ions mixed ZnO samples shows the mixed phases of the respective divalent metal oxides apart from the wurtzite ZnO peaks. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV-visible spectrophotometry were employed to characterize the samples. From the study of FTIR spectroscopy, the Zn-O bonding is shifted towards the higher wave numbers on mixing Ni, Pb and Cu oxides with the ZnO nano particles. The absorption band of ZnO/NiO, ZnO/PbO, and ZnO/CuO mixed oxides are distinctly broadened and red-shifted indicating the strong interfacial interaction between ZnO and mixed oxides. The band gap of the nano particles can be tuned in the range of 2.7-3eV by the addition of divalent metal ions.