Structural and optical properties of sol-gel derived Zn1-xMnxO nanoparticles

Abstract

Mn-doped ZnO i.e. Zn1-xMnxO (0≤x≤0.06) nanoparticles have been synthesized via sol-gel route. Effects of Mn-ion doping on the structural and optical properties have been investigated. The crystallite structure and quality, morphology and size estimation have been performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and FTIR analysis. To study optical properties UV-Vis spectroscopy has been employed. UV-Vis measurements show that the band gap is increased with increasing of Mn-concentrations. This may be attributed to the orbitals hybridization which is prevailed throughout the range of Mn-doping. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.