Characterization and Properties of ZnO:Nd<sup>3+</sup> Nanomaterial Synthesized by Chemical Synthesis Method

Abstract

Nd3+ ion-doped ZnO nanomaterial was prepared using chemical synthesis method and its fluorescence spectra have been investigated at room temperature. From SEM images of the synthesized ZnO: Nd3+ nanoparticles it is observed that an increase in concentration of Nd3+ ions leading to the decrease in the particle size. Nearly hexagonal shapes for the dark spots in the SAED images indicate that the ZnO nanoparticles are almost hexagonal. The oscillator strengths leading to 4f ↔ 4f transitions are characterized by different Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ωλ (λ = 2, 4 and 6). These Ωλ parameters along with the fluorescence data and various radiative properties viz., spontaneous emission probability (A), radiative life time (t), fluorescence branching ratio (b) and stimulated emission cross-section (sp) were evaluated and compared with the reported values. The values of these parameters indicate that the observed transitions 4F3/2 → 4I11/2, 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 and 4F3/2 → 4I15/2 can be considered to be good laser transitions in the near infrared region for different optoelectronic and spintronic uses.