Influence of CTAB assisted capping on the structural and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles

In this research work structural and optoelectronics properties of ZnO nanoparticles capped with functionalized group Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were highlighted and investigated. The molecules of this capping agent CTAB were attached to the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles by using the wet chemical precipitation method choosing suitable precursors. Synthesized capped ZnO nanoparticles were then further investigated and characterized by using different techniques like XRD, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. Thereafter, the optical investigation of these capped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated by using photoluminescence (PL) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The mechanism of the phenomenon like photoluminescence and UV-visible absorption was studied comprehensively. The process of capping results in enhancement of the near-band-edge UV emission and led to reduction the defect-related emission in the PL spectra. The increase in UV emission from these capped ZnO nanoparticles suggests that surface defects such as oxygen vacancies were efficiently passivated. This enhancement in optical properties is advantageous for practical applications such as UV LEDs, UV lasers and various optoelectronics devices.