Estimation of lattice strain in Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles and its effect on structural and optical properties

Abstract

In this study, Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles with compositional formula Zn_1-x Mn_x O (where, x = 0.00 and 0.10) have been synthesized by simple co-precipitation method. Rietveld refinement of X-ray patterns verifies that the obtained samples have been crystallized in single phase hexagonal wurtzite structure. X-ray peak profile analysis has been used for estimation of crystalline sizes and lattice strain induced by Mn²⁺ doping with the help of Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis. The morphology of undoped and Mn-doped samples was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The mean particle size from TEM results are consistent with results obtained by the Scherrer’s formula and W-H analysis. From the optical studies, the absorbance spectra show the increment in energy band gap by Mn²⁺ doping. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show different emission peaks due to different defect states. This paper heightens the understanding of structural and optical properties of Mn-doped nanoparticles and paves the path for its potential application in modern optoelectronic devices.