Synthesis, characterization, and photoluminescence investigations of Al/Co-doped ZnO nanopowder

Abstract

Present research describes the use of solution combustion to create ZnO nanoparticles doped with Co and Al. The studies revealed that the synthesized Al/Co-doped ZnO nanopowder has a narrower size distribution, controllable shape, and high crystallinity. Powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectral techniques were utilized to characterize the as-prepared materials. Interestingly, Al-doped ZnO nanoparticles' UV emission peak location showed greater intensity than Co-doped ZnO, which is explained by an increase in non-radiative recombination. The energy gap plot calculates the Tauc gap, along with the color information defined by the CIE. The doping components were combined through mechanical mixing, and their impact on the effectiveness of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding was examined.