Syntheses and characterizations of transition metal-doped ZnO

The transition metal-doped zinc oxides, Zn_1?xM_xO (M = Cu, Mn and Fe) were synthesized by using solid-state reaction method and co-precipitation method. Samples prepared by co-precipitation method showed exactly same structure and properties compared to those made by solid-state reaction method. XRD, XRF and mapping analyses showed that Zn was successfully substituted with Cu, Mn and Fe by co-precipitation method. Zn_1?xM_xO samples exhibited new absorption shoulder in visible light region so that they showed photocatalytic activity in the visible light region. The highest photocatalytic activity under visible light was found in the Mn-substituted zinc oxide.