Microwave solvothermal synthesis and characterization of manganese-doped ZnO nanoparticles.

Jacek Wojnarowicz,Witold Lojkowski,Roman Mukhovskyi,Jan Mizeracki,Elzbieta Pietrzykowska,Sylwia Kusnieruk

doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.64

Abstract

Mn-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by using the microwave solvothermal synthesis (MSS) technique. The nanoparticles were produced from a solution of zinc acetate dihydrate and manganese(II) acetate tetrahydrate using ethylene glycol as solvent. The content of Mn2+ in Zn1−xMnxO ranged from 1 to 25 mol %. The following properties of the nanostructures were investigated: skeleton density, specific surface area (SSA), phase purity (XRD), lattice parameters, dopant content, average particle size, crystallite size distribution, morphology. The average particle size of Zn1−xMnxO was determined using Scherrer’s formula, the Nanopowder XRD Processor Demo web application and by converting the specific surface area results. X-ray diffraction of synthesized samples shows a single-phase wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO without any indication of additional phases. Spherical Zn1−xMnxO particles were obtained with monocrystalline structure and average particle sizes from 17 to 30 nm depending on the content of dopant. SEM images showed an impact of the dopant concentration on the morphology of the nanoparticles.

Highlights

Nanotechnology has triggered a new global industrial revolution of the 21st century [1]
That means that synthesis parameters must be optimised for each precursor composition in order to eliminate the process of agglomeration and formation of conglomerates of Zn1−xMnxO NPs
Zn1−xMnxO (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25) nanoparticles have been synthesized by microwave solvothermal synthesis

Summary

Introduction

Nanotechnology has triggered a new global industrial revolution of the 21st century [1]. At present it is the leading technology in various research fields such as chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, materials and biomedical engineering, optoelectronics and interdisciplinary fields. It is a technology that enables testing, controlling, producing and using structures at least one dimension of which is below 100 nanometres [2]. It enables the use of nanomaterials for creating innovative products, devices and complex systems that employ the properties of materials on the nanoscale [3].

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Conclusion