Modification at Lattice Scale for an Optimized Optical Response of Al_x(ZnO)_1-x Nanostructures

Avanish Kumar Srivastava, Karuppanan Senthil, Melepurath Deepa, Ruchi Gakhar, Jai Shankar Tawale

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DOI: 10.4236/wjnse.2011.11003                

Abstract

We report the systematic changes of nano-scaled features and optical properties in a promising transparent oxide material, namely, Alx (x = 0, 1, 2 and 5%) doped ZnO1-x (AZO). Electron microscopy investigations revealed the alterations at lattice scale depending on the presence of Al-content in ZnO nanostructures. Lattice spacings of 0.26 and 0.28 nm oriented along the (0002) and (10 0) planes, respectively, were attributed to euhedral-and facetted-structures of hexagonal-ZnO. The AZO samples were further characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-vis spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence studies. It has been shown that at a dopant concentration of 2%Al in ZnO, an optimal balance could be achieved between microstructure and optical properties.

Keywords

Electron Microscopy, Nanostructures, ZnO, Photoluminescence

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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