Facile Microemulsion Synthesis of Vanadium-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles to Analyze the Compositional, Optical, and Electronic Properties

Abstract

In this work, microemulsion method has been followed to synthesize vanadium-doped Zn1−xVxO (with x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10) nanoparticles. The prepared samples are characterized by several techniques to investigate the structural, morphology, electronic, functional bonding, and optical properties. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis confirms the wurtzite phase of the undoped and V-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Variation in the lattice parameters ensures the incorporation of vanadium in the lattice of ZnO. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that by increasing contents of V ions, the average particle size increases gradually. X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) at the V L3,2 edge, oxygen K-edge, and Zn L3,2 edge reveals the presence and effect of vanadium contents in the Zn host lattice. Furthermore, the existence of chemical bonding and functional groups are also asserted by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). UV–Visible analysis shows that by increasing V+ contents, a reduction up to 2.92 eV in the energy band gap is observed, which is probably due to an increase in the free electron concentration and change in the lattice parameters.

Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Structure and Morphology of Vanadium Doped ZnO Nanostructures Obtained by Microwave Assisted Sol–Gel Method

“…In the spectra of the samples, the Zn–OH band was observed at 677 cm −1 , and the bands at 502 and 445 cm −1 were attributed to Zn–O vibration. The small band at 1123 cm −1 was characteristic of V=O absorption, as reported by Ali [ 28 ]. The bands at 783 cm −1 and 545 (552) cm −1 were attributed to the stretching vibrations of the V–O–V bands, respectively [ 42 , 43 ].…”

“…The bands at 783 cm −1 and 545 (552) cm −1 were attributed to the stretching vibrations of the V–O–V bands, respectively [ 42 , 43 ]. The hydroxyl group at 3410 cm −1 and the bands associated with the V-doped ZnO at 780 cm −1 and 650 cm −1 in V:ZnO obtained by the sol–gel method were previously reported [ 28 , 44 ].…”

“…Vanadium (V) doping of ZnO has been found to give new features to the material including ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, enhanced electrical and optical properties, and higher piezoelectric constants [ 24 , 27 ]. However, in the literature the effect of vanadium on the microstructural [ 23 , 24 , 28 ] and the optical properties of ZnO have led to some conflicting results [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

High-Performance Flexible Ultraviolet Photodetectors with Ni/Cu-Codoped ZnO Nanorods Grown on PET Substrates

“…Likewise, the synthesis of ZnO nanorods on organic substrates, for instance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as used in this work, needs to be accomplished at significantly low temperature because of their low thermal deformation temperature (~150 °C). Moreover, the hydrothermal technique provides a unique opportunity to dope as-grown nanorods with transition metals in a growth solution [16,17].…”

Synthesis and Diagnostics of Nanostructured Micaless Microcomposite as a Prospective Insulation Material for Rotating Machines

“…Then, the nanodielectric systems become an object of interest of scientists and professionals from all over the world, who are discussing other options for modifications and potential applications [16]. The most frequent studied fillers ( Figure 2) are simple oxides (SiO 2 [17], Al 2 O 3 [18], ZnO [19], TiO 2 [20], MgO [21]), layered [22] or tubular [23] silicates, eventually also nonwoven nanoscale structures [24][25][26]. With the advent of last mentioned technologies, it is possible to characterize the composites as macro-, micro-and nano-.…”