Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Investigation of Ni Doping on the Structural, Luminescence, Optical and Electronic Properties of ZnO Nanopowders

Rabie AMARI1,2, Elhadj BENRZGUA1,3, Bahri DEGHFEL1,4 , Ammar BOUKHARI1,5 

1 Laboratory of Materials and Renewable Energy, Faculty of Sciences, University of M’sila, Algeria.
2 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of M'sila, Algeria.
E-mail address: rabie.amari@univ-msila.dz 
3 Department of natural and life sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of M'sila, Algeria.
4 Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of M'sila, Algeria.
5 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of M'sila, Algeria.

In this Study, pure and Ni-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with concentration of Ni (3.12%) were successfully prepared by using co-precipitation method [1]. Among TM, nickel is very significant element which has a similar ionic radius as that of Zn. Literature studies show that Ni doping into ZnO matrix can enhance its various properties [2, 3]. Zinc acetate dihydrate [Zn (CH3COO)2 2H2O], nickel acetate dihydrate [Ni (CH3COO)2 2H2O] and sodium hydroxide solution [NaOH] were used as precursors. For getting homogeneous solution, stoichiometric amount of zinc and nickel acetate were dissolved in methanol, after stirred continuously on a magnetic stirrer at room temperature. For raising the pH of the obtained solution to ~9, small amount of sodium hydroxide solution [NaOH] was added drop by drop. The precursor solution is then stirred again until the liquid solution turns into a gel. After gel formation, the beaker was transferred on the hot plate at 500°C for 1h.  The obtained sample yield in the form of loose powder was then finely grounded by agate mortar and pestle. The prepared samples in powder form were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The obtained results have been discussed and compared with those from other sources whatever possible.

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