Effect of Eu Doping on the Physical, Photoluminescence, and Photocatalytic Characteristics of ZnO Thin Films Grown by Sol–Gel Method

Abstract

Eu doping concentration driven effect on the morphological, electrical, and optical properties of ZnO films prepared by sol gel method have been studied systematically. The properties of the films were studied using various experimental tools such as XRD, AFM, XPS, photoconductivity, UV–vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and photocatalytic activity. Eu incorporation into the ZnO lattice was confirmed by XPS analysis. A decrease in crystallite size with increasing Eu concentration was observed. PL spectra showed that Eu‐ related light emission intensity reached a maximum at 6 wt.%. Photoconductivity measurements showed maximum photosensitivity for 4 wt.% Eu doped film. The photocatalytic activity of Eu‐ doped films was evaluated for methylene blue degradation and is found to be maximum for 6 wt.% Eu doped film.