Study on the Synthesis, Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of ZnO and Lanthanum Doped ZnO Nano Particles by Sol-Gel Method

In this study, pure and lanthanum doped ZnO nano particles have been succaessfully synthesized by sol-gel method using the mixture of Zinc acetate dihydrate and ethanol solution. The powders were calcination at 600 C for 2h. The effect of lanthanum incorporation on the structure, morphology, optical and electrical conductivity were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Absorption (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV and Photo Luminescence (PL) Characterization. The average particle size of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles is calculated using the Scherrer formula and is found to be of less than 20 nm. Luminescence as well as conductivity properties were found to be enhanced for the La doped ZnO nanoparticles.