High UV absorption efficiency of nanocrystalline ZnO synthesized by ultrasound assisted wet chemical method

Ultrasound assisted wet-chemical method has been carried out to incorporate different metal and non-metal ions such as; Li, S and Ag into ZnO. Characteristic studies on the structural and optical properties of the samples especially; the ultra-violet (UV) light absorption have been carried out. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the formation of hexagonal crystal structure of ZnO along with changes in crystallinity and micro-strain with impurity doping. The morphology of the doped samples changes from particle like structure to flower and rod like structures showing the influence of dopant ions on nano ZnO growth. Infra-red (IR) transmittance spectra give information about the presence of metal–oxygen bond along with other stretching and bending modes. UV–visible absorption studies show the narrowing and sharpening of UV absorption band along with a blue shift for the doped samples. This shows the intensification in the excitonic absorption in ZnO after doping specific elements which will find application in UV blocking agents. Photoluminescence (PL) measurement shows the presence of excitonic emission and emissions due to intrinsic defects and external impurities in UV and visible regions respectively. These emission bands show a change in their position and intensity which has been explained on the basis of the existence of impurity levels in the band gap of ZnO.     

Effect of synthesis conditions on microstructures and photoluminescence properties of Ga doped ZnO nanorod arrays

Ga doped ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared on silicon substrates in a mixture solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate, methenamine, and gallium nitrate hydrate. Effect of synthesis conditions on crystal structures, morphologies, surface compositions, and optical properties was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence techniques (PL). Experimental results reveal that Ga doping amount can reach 1.67 at% with the increase of gallium nitrate concentration. Ga doping greatly affects the morphologies of ZnO nanorod arrays. The photoluminescence spectra show a sharp UV emission and a broad visible emission. With Ga doping, UV emission has an apparent broadening effect and its peak shifts from 3.27 eV to 3.31 eV. The intensity ratio of UV emission to visible emission demonstrates that appropriate Ga doping amount is beneficial for the improvement of ZnO crystalline quality.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of molecules adsorbed on Co‐doped ZnO nanoparticles

Transition‐metal‐doped semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) have been well studied for their optical and catalytic properties but seldom studied by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In this paper, transition‐metal‐doped semiconductor NPs are investigated for their SERS property. Four groups of Co‐doped (0.5, 1, 3, and 5%) ZnO (Co ZnO) NPs and pure ZnO NPs were synthesized and studied. When 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid was used as probing molecule, significant SERS signals were obtained on all the five samples. Moreover, it is very interesting to observe a relationship between the Co‐doping concentration and enhancement of the SERS signals. SERS intensities first increase with doping concentration (up to 1%), and then decrease with further increase in doping concentration (up to 5%). Charge transfer (CT) is considered to be the main contribution to this phenomenon. Different CT ratios from substrates to molecules seem to induce different intensities of the SERS signals. In our experiments, the crystalline defects of Co ZnO NPs caused by the Co dopant affect the CT ratios. A possible mechanism of CT from the valance band of Co ZnO NPs to the lower unoccupied molecular orbital of the molecules via energy of the surface states is suggested. X‐ray photoelectron spectra, UV vis spectra, and Raman spectra were used to characterize the structure and defects in Co ZnO NPs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman investigations of Zn1−xCoxO nanocrystals: role of starting precursors on vibrational properties

The Raman spectra of sol–gel derived Co‐doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in the spectral range 100–1500 cm⁻¹ were investigated. In the sol–gel method, three different series of Co‐doped ZnO particles, i.e. Zn_1−xCo_xO (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20), were obtained using three different starting precursors, viz. cobalt chloride hexahydrate, cobalt acetate tetrahydrate, and cobalt nitrate hexahydrate, respectively. It has been observed that cobalt acetate is a better precursor in comparison to cobalt chloride and cobalt nitrate to obtain single‐phase Co‐doped ZnO NPs. As for cobalt acetate‐derived NPs, no hidden secondary phase of Co₃O₄ was observed for the lower (x = 0.05) Co concentration. The Fröhlich interaction associated with the longitudinal modes was found to be destroyed with increasing Co concentration due to structural disorder and defects induced by the dopant. In addition to ZnO and Co₃O₄ vibrational modes, a few additional modes near 550 and 715 cm⁻¹ were also observed in all cases, which could be attributed to the modes due to Co doping in ZnO. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Co,Sn共掺ZnO薄膜结构与光致发光的研究

采用溶胶-凝胶旋涂法在玻璃衬底上制备了Co,Sn掺杂ZnO系列薄膜.通过金相显微镜和X射线衍射(XRD)研究了Co与Sn掺杂对薄膜的表面形貌和微结构的影响.XRD结果表明,所有ZnO薄膜样品都存在(002)择优取向,特别Sn单掺ZnO薄膜的c轴择优取向最为显著,而且晶粒尺寸最大.XPS测试表明样品中Co和Sn的价态分别为2+和4+,证实Co²⁺,Sn⁴⁺进入了ZnO的晶格.室温光致发光谱(PL)显示在所有的样品中都有较强的蓝光双峰发射和较弱的绿光发 关键词： ZnO薄膜 溶胶-凝胶 掺杂 光致发光     

Mg掺杂ZnO纳米晶的低温共沉淀法制备及光学性质

采用共沉淀(co-precipitation)法制备了Mg掺杂ZnO纳米晶,分别用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、紫外可见吸收(UV-Vis)光谱、光致发光(PL)光谱、透射电镜(TEM)、电子顺磁共振(EPR)等分析手段对样品进行了表征。探究了Mg离子在ZnO纳米晶中的存在状态,ZnO纳米晶颗粒尺寸和发射光谱随Mg掺杂浓度的变化,并对其发光机理进行了分析。结果表明:Mg离子在ZnO晶格中以部分晶格位,部分间隙位的方式存在,没有形成MgO表面壳层结构;随Mg掺杂浓度的增大,ZnO纳米晶的颗粒尺寸变小,发射光的光强增大。发射光的最佳激发波长为342nm,中心波长为500nm,荧光量子产率为22.8%。实验分析表明:Mg离子的掺杂在ZnO纳米晶中引入了锌空位(VZn),间隙位的镁离子(IMg),提供了新的复合中心,从而增强了ZnO纳米晶的光致发光。     

钼掺杂氧化锌薄膜的结构、光学和表面等离子体特性研究

室温下,通过直流磁控反应溅射在石英衬底上制备一系列钼掺杂氧化锌薄膜。分别采用X射线衍射(XRD)、原子力显微镜(AFM)、分光光度计及拉曼光谱仪研究了钼掺杂浓度对氧化锌薄膜结构、表面形貌、光学性能和表面等离子体特性的影响。XRD测试结果表明,零掺杂氧化锌薄膜结晶良好,呈c轴择优取向,掺杂后薄膜缺陷增多,结晶质量下降,当掺杂浓度达到3.93 Wt%时,薄膜由c轴择优取向的晶态转变为非晶态。AFM测试结果表明非晶态掺钼氧化锌薄膜表面光滑,粗糙度最低可达489 pm。透射光谱表明所有薄膜样品在可见光范围(400～760 nm)平均透过率均达到80%,禁带宽度随着掺杂浓度的提高从3.28 eV单调增加至3.60 eV。吸收光谱表明氧化锌薄膜表面等离子体共振吸收峰随钼掺杂量的增大发生蓝移,而拉曼光谱表明Mo重掺杂时ZnO薄膜表面拉曼散射信号强度显著降低。通过Mo掺杂获得非晶态氧化锌薄膜,拓宽了氧化锌薄膜材料的应用领域,同时研究了Mo掺杂浓度对氧化锌薄膜表面等离子体的调控作用,这对制备氧化锌基光子器件具有重要参考价值。     

生长条件对Ga掺杂ZnO薄膜微观结构及光致发光性能的影响

利用热氧化法在不同参数条件下生长了Ga掺杂范围较宽的ZnO薄膜, 研究了ZnO薄膜的表面微观结构和光致发光性能. 研究表明: Ga以Ga³⁺存在并掺入ZnO晶格取代Zn²⁺, Ga的掺入改变了ZnO薄膜中的缺陷类型及浓度、化学计量比、薄膜表面结晶质量, 进而影响了薄膜的光致发光性能. 随着热氧化温度升高, Ga掺杂量增大, ZnO薄膜的晶粒尺寸增大, 尺寸更均一, 紫外光与可见光强度比增大. 随着热氧化时间延长, Ga掺杂量降低, ZnO薄膜的晶粒尺寸均一性变差, 紫外光与可见光强度比减小.     

Sol-gel preparation and enhanced photocatalytic performance of Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by a sol-gel method for the first time. XRD, XPS, UV-vis and FS techniques were used to characterize the Cu-doped ZnO samples. The photocatalytic activity was tested for methyl orange degradation under UV irradiation. The results show that the crystal sizes of ZnO and 0.5% Cu/ZnO nanoparticles with wurtzite phase are 32.0 and 28.5 nm, indicating that Cu-doping hinder the growth of crystal grains. The doped Cu element existed as Cu²⁺. The optimal Cu doping concentration in ZnO is 0.5%. The optimal calcination condition is at 350 °C for 3 h. The MO degradation rate of 0.5% Cu/ZnO reaches 88.0% when initial concentration of MO is 20 mg/L, exceeding that of undoped ZnO. The enhanced charge carrier separation and increased surface hydroxyl groups due to Cu-doping contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic activity of 0.5% Cu/ZnO.     

过渡金属与F共掺杂ZnO薄膜结构及磁、光特性

采用溶胶-凝胶法在玻璃衬底上制备了过渡金属元素与F共掺杂Zn_0.98-xTM_xF_0.02O (TM_x=Cu_0.02, Ni_0.01, Mn_0.05, Fe_0.02, Co_0.05)薄膜, 进而利用X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、紫外-可见透过谱、光致发光及振动样品磁强计等研究了薄膜的表面形貌、微结构、禁带宽度及光致发光(PL)和室温磁学特性. 研究表明: 掺杂离子都以替位的方式进入了ZnO晶格, 掺杂不会破坏ZnO的纤锌矿结构. 其中Zn_0.93Co_0.05F_0.02O薄膜样品的颗粒尺寸最大, 薄膜的结晶度最好且c轴择优取向明显; Zn_0.93Mn_0.05F_0.02O薄膜样品的颗粒尺寸最小, 薄膜结晶度最差且无明显的c轴择优取; Cu, Ni, Fe与F共掺杂样品的颗粒尺寸大小几乎相同. TM掺杂样品均表现出很高的透过率, 同时掺杂后的薄膜样品的禁带宽度都有不同程度的红移. PL谱观察到Zn_0.98-xTM_xF_0.02O薄膜的发射峰主要由较强的紫外发射峰和较弱的蓝光发射峰组成. Zn_0.93Mn_0.05F_0.02O薄膜样品的紫外发光峰最弱, 蓝光发射最强, 饱和磁化强度最大; 与之相反的是Zn_0.96Cu_0.02F_0.02O薄膜, 其紫外发光峰最强, 蓝光发射最弱, 饱和磁化强度最小. 结合微结构和光学性质对Zn_0.98-xTM_xF_0.02O薄膜的磁学性质进行了讨论.     

Sonocatalytic degradation of Acid Blue 92 using sonochemically prepared samarium doped zinc oxide nanostructures

Pure and Sm-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized applying a simple sonochemical method. The nanocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques which confirmed the successful synthesis of the doped sonocatalyst. The sonocatalytic degradation of Acid Blue 92 (AB92), a model azo dye, was more than that with sonolysis alone. The 6% Sm-doped ZnO nanoparticles had a band gap of 2.8 eV and demonstrated the highest activity. The degradation efficiency (DE%) of sonolysis and sonocatalysis with undoped ZnO and 6% Sm-doped ZnO was 45.73%, 63.9%, and 90.10%, after 150 min of treatment, respectively. Sonocatalytic degradation of AB92 is enhanced with increasing the dopant amount and catalyst dosage and with decreasing the initial AB29 concentration. DE% declines with the addition of radical scavengers such as chloride, carbonate, sulfate, and tert-butanol. However, the addition of enhancers including potassium periodates, peroxydisulfate, and hydrogen peroxide improves DE% by producing more free radicals. The results show adequate reusability of the doped sonocatalyst. Degradation intermediates were recognized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Using nonlinear regression analysis, an empirical kinetic model was developed to estimate the pseudo-first-order constants (k_app) as a function of the main operational parameters, including the initial dye concentration, sonocatalyst dosage, and ultrasonic power.     

Carbon‐Doped Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Prepared from Metal Nitrates in Supercritical CO2‐Enabled Polymer Nanoreactors

Various C‐doped metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared from metal nitrates in poly‐(methyl vinyl ether‐co‐maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) nanoreactors. The loading of metal nitrates in the nanoreactors is realized via a process of solution‐enhanced dispersion by supercritical CO₂. When the temperature exceeds the thermal decomposition temperature of the nitrates, the nitrates‐loaded nanoreactors transform into C‐doped metal oxide NPs. ZnO, NiO, and Co₃O₄ NPs as representative of the doped oxides are successfully fabricated. A precise control over the doping concentration and doping site in the lattice is achieved by changing the mass ratio between PVM/MA and metal nitrate. The controllable carbon doping avoids undesirable aggregation of carbon species and metal oxide NPs, endows the NPs with broad and strong absorption bands in the visible light region, and creates channels for separation of photo‐generated electrons and holes. In this regard, the resultant C‐doped metal oxide NPs exhibit excellent photocatalytic, photo‐induced antibacterial, and photothermal performances.     

Investigation on a novel ZnO/TiO2–B photocatalyst with enhanced visible photocatalytic activity

A new type of composite photocatalysts (ZnO/TiO₂–B) with Zinc oxide nanoparticles dispersed on boron doped titanium dioxide was prepared via a sol–gel method. The as-prepared powders were characterized by HRTEM, XRD, XPS, UV–vis DRS, and PL techniques. The results reveal that B³⁺ ions are doped into the TiO₂ lattice in interstitial mode, while ZnO nanoparticles are dispersed on the surface of TiO₂. The absorption of photocatalysts was extended into visible light region and the photogenerated electrons and holes were separated efficiently. Hence, ZnO/TiO₂–B composite photocatalyst exhibits much better photocatalytic activity than those of pure TiO₂ and TiO₂–B on photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol under visible light irradiation.     

控制纳米结构以调控氧化锌的发光、磁性和细胞毒性

氧化锌(ZnO) 纳米材料因其在UV 激光器、发光二极管、太阳能电池、稀磁半导体、生物荧光标示、靶向药物等领域中的广泛应用而成为最热门的研究课题之一. 调节和优化ZnO 纳米结构的性质是ZnO 的实际应用迫切所需. 在此, 通过发展聚乙烯吡咯烷酮导向结晶法、微波加热强制水解法、表面活性剂后处理法, 成功地制备出了尺寸、表面电荷或成分可调的球、半球、棒、管、T 型管、三脚架、片、齿轮、两层、多层、带盖罐子、碗等一系列ZnO 纳米结构. 通过简单地改变ZnO 纳米粒子的尺寸、形貌和表面电荷或成分, 有效地调控ZnO 本身的发光强度和位置, 并近90 倍地增强了荧光素染料的荧光强度; 诱使了强度可调的室温铁磁性; 实现了对ZnO纳米颗粒的细胞毒性的系统性调控.     

Cu-Fe共掺杂ZnO电子结构与光学性质的第一性原理计算研究

基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理平面波超软赝势方法,计算了本征ZnO,Cu、Fe单掺杂和Cu-Fe共掺杂ZnO的电子结构和光学性质.计算结果显示:Cu掺杂属于p型掺杂,Fe掺杂属于n型掺杂,单掺杂时Cu-3d态电子和Fe-3d态电子均在禁带形成杂质能级,从而提高ZnO的载流子浓度,改善ZnO的导电性能,而Cu-Fe共掺杂时ZnO半导体进入简并态,呈现金属特性.掺杂后的ZnO介电函数虚部变化主要集中在低能量区域,光谱吸收系数及反射率曲线发生红移,其中本征ZnO对太阳光谱有较好的透射性,Fe单掺杂和Cu-Fe共掺杂ZnO对可见光谱有相似的吸收效果,而Fe单掺杂ZnO对近紫外区域的光谱透射率更小,适用于制备防紫外线薄膜.     

Doping dependent room-temperature ferromagnetism and structural properties of dilute magnetic semiconductor ZnO:Cu nanorods

Copper doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical technique based on the hydrothermal method. The crystallite structure, morphology and size were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for different doping percentages of Cu²⁺ (1-10%). TEM/SEM images showed formation of uniform nanorods, the aspect ratio of which varied with doping percentage of Cu²⁺. The wurtzite structure of ZnO gradually degrades with the increasing Cu²⁺ doping concentration and an additional CuO associated diffraction peak was observed above 8% of Cu²⁺ doping. The change in magnetic behavior of the nanoparticles of ZnO with varying Cu²⁺ doping concentrations was investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Initially these nanoparticles showed strong room-temperature ferromagnetic behavior, however at higher doping percentage of copper the ferromagnetic behavior was suppressed and paramagnetic nature was enhanced.     

The influence of annealing temperature on the structure,morphologies and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully synthesized by the simple solution method at low temperature. The effects of annealing temperature on the structure and optical properties of ZnO NPs were investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. As the annealing temperature was increased above 180 ^°C the particles morphology evolved from spherical to hexagonal shape, indicating that the average particle size increased from 11 nm to 87 nm. The UV-vis and PL spectra showed a red-shift from 3.62 to 3.33 eV when the annealing temperature was increased.     

Green luminescent ZnO:Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> nanoparticles for their applications in white-light generation from UV LEDs

Copper doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical technique based on a hydrothermal method. The crystallite sizes, estimated by XRD and TEM/SEM for different doping percentage of Cu²⁺ (1–10%), were found to be in the range of ~10–15 nm. TEM/SEM images showed formation of uniform nanorods, the aspect ratio of which varied with doping percentage. Photoluminescence (PL) measurement showed strong green visible emission and PL intensity was found enhanced with increase in doping percentage. The increase in the PL intensity was mainly due to Cu incorporation in ZnO lattice. Currently, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) giving ultraviolet emission have been combined with broad-band visible green phosphors to make white-light LEDs. Thus, green luminescent ZnO:Cu²⁺ nanoparticles are seen as necessary and condemnatory constituent for white-light generation from UV LEDs, underlying the importance of the current work.     

Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles: Sonochemical synthesis,characterization, and sonocatalytic application

Undoped and europium (III)-doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by a sonochemical method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The crystalline sizes of undoped and 3% Eu-doped ZnO were found to be 16.04 and 8.22 nm, respectively. The particle size of Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles was much smaller than that of pure ZnO. The synthesized nanocatalysts were used for the sonocatalytic degradation of Acid Red 17. Among the Eu-doped ZnO catalysts, 3% Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles showed the highest sonocatalytic activity. The effects of various parameters such as catalyst loading, initial dye concentration, pH, ultrasonic power, the effect of oxidizing agents, and the presence of anions were investigated. The produced intermediates of the sonocatalytic process were monitored by GC–Mass (GC–MS) spectrometry.     

Effect of Fe-doping on the structural,morphological and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by solution combustion process

The effect of Fe-doping on the structural, morphological and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by simple solution combustion process are reported. The powder XRD pattern indicates that the Fe-doped ZnO samples exhibit primary and secondary phases. The primary phase indicates the hexagonal wurtzite structure with the average crystalline size of around 25–50 nm and the secondary phase is associated with the face centered cubic structure of magnetite iron oxide. The elemental composition of pure and Fe-doped samples are evaluvated by EDX. The results of FE-SEM and HR-TEM cleary show that particles morphology have changed with respect to the incorporation of doping agent and particles are in aggregating nature. The vibrational properties of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are investigated by Raman scattering technique and it exhibits that the influence of Fe-doping significantly modify the lattice vibrational characteristics in ZnO sites. The optical properties of the Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles are carried out by UV–vis absorption and PL spectra. The results of PL spectra show the near-band edge related emission as well as strong blue emissions in the Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles.