The influence of Mn doping on the structural and optical properties of ZnO nanostructures

We report the hydrothermal synthesis of Zn1-xMnxO (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) nanostructures and their structural, morphological and optical properties. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the wurtzite phase and successful incorporation of Mn in ZnO matrix. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images revealed the suppression of growth rate and change in morphology of ZnO from nanoplates to nanorods at higher Mn concentration. Furthermore, a red shift is observed in the Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra, which is attributed to the variation of bond length and Zn-O-Zn structural perturbation. UV-visible absorption measurements indicated a blue shift in the bandgap from 3.28 eV (pure ZnO) to 3.42 eV (x = 0.06), which is assigned to the Burstein-Moss effect. The photoluminescence spectra exhibited UV excitonic and yellow-green defective emissions. The intensity of broad visible emission peak is decreased which is ascribed to the surface defect quenching due to the presence of Mn as a dopant.

Automated summary

Hydrothermal synthesis of Zn1-xMnxO (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) nanostructures resulted in changes in structural, morphological, and optical properties due to successful incorporation of Mn. Mn concentration affected the growth and morphology of ZnO, with a blue shift observed in UV-visible absorption spectra. Photoluminescence spectra showed decreased intensity of broad visible emission peak, attributed to surface defect quenching induced by Mn doping.