Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO and Mn-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

Zinc oxide and Mn- doped Zinc oxide nanoparticles has gained a lot of attention from the scientists and researchers to undergo this research interest due to its various applications in optoelectronic devices, chemical sensors, solar cells and photocatalyst. However, the doping efficiency was influenced by the strong tendency of the Mn dopant ions to segregate at the nanoparticles surfaces. Zinc oxide and Mn-doped Zinc oxide particles were successfully synthesized by wet chemical co-precipitation method using Zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium hydroxide as a precursor materials. Ethanol was used as a solvent for homogeneity of the solution and helps to make a stoichiometric solution in order to obtain Zinc oxide and Mn-doped Zinc oxide nanoparticles. The highy stable colloidal ZnO and Mn-doped Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been prepared at room temperature. The sample were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) and the band gap measured by UV-Visible reflectance. In the XRD pattern of samples, there is no change in the wurtzite structure which could indicate no Mn-related secondary phases were observed for the doped ZnO Samples upto 15 % of Mn-doping. The band gap of Mn doped Zinc oxide is smaller than the undoped ZnO band gap. The results of characterization shows 15 % Mn-doped ZnO has the lowest particle size. Moreover the calculated band gap of 10 % ZnO is lower than others.