Abstract
Undoped and Yttrium doped ZnO nanopowders (Zn1−xYxO, 0⩽x⩽0.05) were prepared by sol–gel method and annealed at 500°C for 4h under air atmosphere. The prepared nanopowders were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectra, UV–Visible spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Y in the ZnO system. Both atomic and weight percentages were nearly equal to their nominal stoichiometry within the experimental error. XRD measurement revealed the prepared nanoparticles have different microstructures without changing a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The calculated average crystallite size decreased from 26.1 to 23.2nm for x=0–0.02 then reached 24.1nm for x=0.05. The change in lattice parameters was demonstrated by the crystal size, bond length, micro-strain and the quantum confinement effect. The observed blue shift of energy gap from 3.36eV (Y=0) to 3. 76eV (Y=0.05) (ΔEg=0.4eV) revealed the substitution of Y3+ ions into ZnO lattice. The presence of functional groups and the chemical bonding are confirmed by FTIR spectra. The appreciable enhancement of PL intensity with slight blue shift in near band edge (NBE) emission from 396 to 387nm and a red shift of green band (GB) emission from 513 to 527nm with large reduction in intensity confirm the substitution of Y into the ZnO lattice. Y-doped ZnO is useful to tune the emission wavelength and hence is appreciable for the development of supersensitive UV detector.
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