Structural, morphological, physical and dielectric properties of Mn doped ZnO nanocrystals synthesized by sol-gel method

Mn doped ZnO nanocrystals were synthesized by sol-gel technique and sintered at 400 degrees C. Sintered samples characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and LCR-Q meter. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that obtained samples have hexagonal (wurtzite) crystal structure. Volume of unit cell increases with Mn doping, indicating the successful incorporation of Mn ions into ZnO lattice. The morphology changed from hexagonal to spherical-hexagonal structure and size ranging from 30 nm to 43 nm with Mn doping. Average crystallite size of ZnO nanocrystals decreases with Mn doping. The functional groups and chemical interactions of Mn substituted ZnO samples were determined at various peaks using FTIR data and clearly confirmed that the formation of pure and Mn doped ZnO nanocrystals. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss decreases with increasing Mn concentration and frequency. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.