Sol-gel synthesis of p-type zinc oxide using potassium permanganate

Polycrystalline, p-type ZnO were synthesized by KMnO4 doping using the sol-gel deposition process. Depending on the amount of doping, the addition of KMnO4 into ZnO resulted in either fibrous or porous film morphology. Optically, the films were transparent with transmittance ranging from 82 similar to 88% depending on doping concentration. The p-type doping were confirmed using Hall effect measurements and the formation of rectifying pn junction with n-type ZnO.