Effects of MeV ion irradiation on structural and optical properties of SnO2–ZnO nanocomposites prepared by carbothermal evaporation

Abstract

Nanocomposite thin films of SnO2–ZnO were prepared by carbothermal evaporation of mixture of Sn and ZnO without using any catalyst. The nanocomposite thin films were irradiated with 8MeV Si3+ ions at room temperature to fluence varying from 1×1014 to 1×1015ions/cm2. Effects of MeV ion irradiation on the structural and optical properties of SnO2–ZnO nanocomposites were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and Raman spectroscopy. XRD studies revealed the presence of Sn, SnO2 and ZnO nanostructures in the as-deposited films. FESEM studies on the irradiated samples revealed the formation of ZnO nanosheets. A tentative growth mechanism underlying the formation of ZnO nanosheets is proposed. Ion irradiation resulted in a significant enhancement in the UV and defect emissions from ZnO and SnO2 nanostructures in the nanocomposite.