Study on structural, morphological, elastic and electrical properties of ZnO nanoparticles for electronic device applications

Abstract

The present study investigates the synthesis and analysis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) intended for use in electronic devices. ZnO NPs with an average crystallite size of 33 nm and a hexagonal wurtzite structure were produced by the combustion process. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed a densely packed, spherical morphology. Elastic properties, studied through the General Utility Lattice Program (GULP) and Elastic Tensor Analysis (ELATE), reveal the ductile nature of ZnO NPs. Optical studies exhibited a characteristic absorption peak at 366 nm, with a calculated optical band gap of 2.36 eV. Additionally, efforts are being made to determine refractive index (n), electronic polarizability (α) and optical susceptibility (χ). Electrical properties, including dielectric behaviour, AC conductivity, and I–V characteristics, demonstrated the influence of relaxation phenomena and revealed non-ohmic conduction. The dielectric studies show that dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and impedance are frequency and temperature dependent. Richardson-Schottky emission was identified as the predominant conduction mechanism, highlighting the potential of ZnO NPs in electronic devices.