Spectral Investigations on Cu2+-Doped ZnO Nanopowders

Cu²⁺-doped ZnO nanopowders, synthesized at room temperature by mild and simple solution method, are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques. From XRD and SEM, the crystal structure is identified as hexagonal, and the average crystallite size is around 53 nm. Lattice cell parameters are evaluated. The optical and EPR spectral investigations suggest that the Cu²⁺ ion enters the host lattice in two tetragonally distorted octahedral sites. Crystal field, tetragonal field, spin Hamiltonian and bonding parameters are estimated.