Solubility of Mn in ZnO Crystallites Synthesized Using Solid State Techniques

Abstract

Powder samples of Zn1-xMnxO nanocrystal were synthesized at a temperature of 200 °C using solid phase method. Dopant concentrations of 0.005 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 were studied. Powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of the samples were analyzed with a view of determining the onset of secondary phases, hence the solubility limit of the dopant. The solubility limit for Mn in ZnO samples synthesized at 200 °C is realized at x < 0.3. With a regular pattern in increment of the Mn concentration, there were variations observed in the trend of the relative intensity, 2θ position and d-spacing indicating uneven addition of Mn (thus Mn2+, Mn3+ or Mn4+).