Parra-Palomino A., Singhal R., Perales-Perez O., Tomar M.S.
University of Puerto Rico, PR
Keywords: ferromagnetism, Sol Gel, ZnO
We present here our results on synthesis and characterization of bare and Fe-doped ZnO nanocrystals by a modified sol-gel method, which does not require annealing of the samples. Metal acetate solutions in 2-ethylhexanoic acid were used as precursors. The formation of bare and doped ZnO structures took place right after evaporation of the solvent, making thermal annealing unnecessary. Various atomic concentrations of Fe were used to synthesize Zn1-xFexO nanocrystals. The results of X-ray diffraction characterization of doped systems confirmed the exclusive formation of the host ZnO wurtzite structure. Lattice parameters ‘a’ and ‘c’ varied from 3.2544 Å to 3.2481 Å and 5.2106 Å to 5.1991 Å, respectively when the atomic fraction of Fe, ‘x’, changed from 0 to 0.1 The FT-IR spectra of the samples showed two broad bands at about 1585 and 1424 cm-1. The band at 1585 cm-1 was assigned to the C=C stretching bond while the band at 1424 cm-1 appeared due to C=O stretching. UV-Vis absorption spectra for doped ZnO nanocrystals showed a systematic drop in the band gap with increasing ‘x’ values.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 4, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 4
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 297 - 300
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Nanoparticle Synthesis & Applications
ISBN: 1-4200-6376-6