Ni doping effect on the electronic, structural and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by Co-precipitation route

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Nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by the co-precipitation technique show many attractive properties such as small particle size, high crystallinity, high average pore diameter and high specific surface area. However, numerous reports show that some characteristics of the Ni-doped ZnO (NZO) NPs remain controversial such as optical bandgap (E g ), surface morphology and defect level. In this study, pure ZnO and NZO NPs at different Ni contents ( x ) were successfully prepared using the co-precipitation method. Phase analysis confirms the hexagonal wurtzite crystallinity of the samples. XRD peak shows that the Ni may substituted ZnO structure as the peaks shift toward higher angles with increasing x . Meanwhile, the formation of NiO secondary phases was significant at 12.50% Ni content. Densely packed spherical shaped structures with nanoparticle agglomeration are observed at low x , while some nanorod shaped structures appear at higher x . The stretching vibrations of the Zn–O bond are observed in the NZO NPs. The absorption edge shifts to higher wavelengths with the increase in x . This study provides consistent results in the phase analysis, morphology and structural parameters. The decrease in E g agrees with the photoluminescence measurements. The emission spectra confirm the presence of interstitial zinc and singly ionized oxygen vacancies. • The effect of Ni doping on the properties of ZnO nanoparticles (NZO NPs) is investigated. • Optimal experimental conditions are followed to obtain higher crystallinity for NZO NPs. • Consistent results are founds for the phase analysis, morphology and structural parameters. • Optical bandgap agrees well with photoluminescence (PL) measurements. • Defect energy diagram of the NZO NPs is proposed based on the PL spectrum. • Stretching vibrations of the Zn–O bond are observed in the NZO NPs.