Skip to content
BY-NC-ND 3.0 license Open Access Published by De Gruyter December 29, 2013

Enhancement in UV emission and band gap by Fe doping in ZnO thin films

  • Anchal Srivastava EMAIL logo , Nishant Kumar and Sanjay Khare
From the journal Opto-Electronics Review

Abstract

Enhancement of the optical band gap of ZnO from 3.14 to 3.29 eV has been obtained using Fe dopant. Undoped and doped ZnO films are deposited by sol-gel spin coating. XRD patterns indicate polycrystalline nature and hexagonal wurtzite structure of Zn1−xFexO films. EDX analysis confirms the presence of iron dopant. The photoluminescence spectra show an ultraviolet emission peak at 398 nm (NBE emission) and defect emission peak at 485 nm. Intensity of the NBE emission is much higher for the doped samples with its ratio to defect emission intensity highest for 2 at. %doping. The NBE emission shifts to higher energy with increasing dopant concentration in a manner similar to that exhibited by the band gap. Surface morphology has been studied using FESEM.

[1] R.K. Shukla, A. Srivastava, and K.C. Dubey, “Growth of transparent conducting nanocrystalline Al doped ZnO thin films by pulsed laser deposition”, J. Cryst. Growth 294, 427 (2006). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2006.06.03510.1016/j.jcrysgro.2006.06.035Search in Google Scholar

[2] F.K. Shan, B.I. Kim, G.X. Liu, Z.F. Liu, J.Y. Sohn, and W.J. Lee, B.C. Shin, and Y.S. Yu, “Blue shift of near band edge emission in Mg doped ZnO thin films and aging”, J. Appl. Phys. 95, 4772 (2004). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.169009110.1063/1.1690091Search in Google Scholar

[3] K.P. Misra, R.K. Shukla, and A. Srivastava, “Blue shift in optical band gap in nanocrystalline Zn1−xCaxO films deposited by sol-gel method”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 031901 (2009). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.318478910.1063/1.3184789Search in Google Scholar

[4] P. Misra, P. Bhattacharya, K. Mallik, S. Rajagopalan, L.M. Kukreja, and K.C. Rustagi, “Variation of band gap with oxygen ambient pressure in MgxZn1−xO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition”, Solid State Comm. 117, 673 (2001). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0038-1098(01)00012-610.1016/S0038-1098(01)00012-6Search in Google Scholar

[5] T.A. Vijayan, R. Chandramohan, S. Valanarasu, J. Thirumalai, and S.P. Subramanian, “Comparative investigation on nanocrystal structure, optical, and electrical properties of ZnO and Sr-doped ZnO thin films using chemical bath deposition method”, J Mater Sci. 43, 1776 (2008). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-007-2404-110.1007/s10853-007-2404-1Search in Google Scholar

[6] P. Misra, P.K. Sahoo, P. Tripathi, V.N. Kulkarni, R.V. Nandedkar, and L.M. Kukreja, “Sequential pulsed laser deposition of CdxZn1−xO alloy thin films for engineering ZnO band gap”, Appl. Phys. A 78, 37 (2004). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00339-003-2296-010.1007/s00339-003-2296-0Search in Google Scholar

[7] S. Vijayalakshmi, S. Venkataraj, and R. Jayavel, “Characterization of cadmium doped zinc oxide (Cd: ZnO) thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis method”, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 41, 245403 (2008). http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/41/24/24540310.1088/0022-3727/41/24/245403Search in Google Scholar

[8] W. Water, S-F Wang, Y-P Chen, and J-C Pu, “Calcium and strontium doped ZnO films for love wave sensor applications”, Integrated Ferroelectrics 72, 13 (2005). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1058458050031162010.1080/10584580500311620Search in Google Scholar

[9] A.K. Das, P. Misra, A. Bose, S.C. Joshi, R. Kumar, T.K. Sharma, and L.M. Kukreja, “Structural, electrical and optical characteristics of Al doped ZnO films grown by sequential pulsed laser deposition”, Phys. Express 3, 5 (2013). Search in Google Scholar

[10] H. Li, Y. Zhang, X. Pan, H. Zhang, T. Wang, and E. Xie, “Effects of In and Mg doping on properties of ZnO nanoparticles by flame spray synthesis”, J Nanopart Res. 11, 917 (2009). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11051-008-9487-810.1007/s11051-008-9487-8Search in Google Scholar

[11] Q. Luo, L.S. Wang, H.Z. Guo, K.Q. Lin, Y. Chen, G. H. Yue, and D. L. Peng, “Blue luminescence from Ce-doped ZnO thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering”, Appl. Phys. A108, 239 (2012). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00339-012-6883-910.1007/s00339-012-6883-9Search in Google Scholar

[12] A. Douayar, P. Prieto, G. Schmerber, K. Nouneh, R. Diaz, I. Chaki, S. Colis, A. El Fakir, N. Hassanain, A. Belayachi, Z. Sekkat, A. Slaoui, A. Dinia, and M. Abd-Lefdi, “Investigation of the structural, optical and electrical properties of Nd-doped ZnO thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis”, Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 61, 10304 (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/epjap/201312038810.1051/epjap/2013120388Search in Google Scholar

[13] C. Wang, Z. Chen, Y. He, L. Li, and D. Zhang, “Structure, morphology and properties of Fe-doped ZnO films prepared byfacing-target magnetron sputtering system”, Appl. Surf. Sci. 255, 6881 (2009). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2009.03.00810.1016/j.apsusc.2009.03.008Search in Google Scholar

[14] A.Y. Polyakov, A.V. Govorkov, N.B. Smirnov, N.V. Pashkova, S.J. Pearton, K. Ip, R.M. Frazier, C.R. Abernathy, D.P. Norton, J.M. Zavada, and R.G. Wilson, “Optical and magnetic properties of ZnO bulk crystals implanted with Cr and Fe”, Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 7, 77 (2004). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2004.03.00110.1016/j.mssp.2004.03.001Search in Google Scholar

[15] R. Janisch, P. Gopal, and N.A. Spaldin, “Transition metal-doped TiO2 and ZnO present status of the field”, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 17, R657 (2005). 10.1088/0953-8984/17/27/R01Search in Google Scholar

[16] K.J. Kim and Y.R. Park, “Optical investigation of Zn1−xFexO films grown on Al2O3 (0001) by radiofrequency sputtering”, J. Appl. Phys. 96, 4150 (2004). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.179057010.1063/1.1790570Search in Google Scholar

[17] Z.C. Chen, L.J. Zhuge, X.M. Wu, and Y.D. Meng, “Initial study on the structure and optical properties of Zn1−xFexO films”, Thin Solid Films 515, 5462 (2007). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2007.01.01510.1016/j.tsf.2007.01.015Search in Google Scholar

[18] A.P. Rambu, V. Nica, and M. Dobromir, “Influence of Fe-doping on the optical and electrical properties of ZnO films”, Superlattices and Microstructures 59, 87 (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spmi.2013.03.02310.1016/j.spmi.2013.03.023Search in Google Scholar

[19] U. Alver, T. Kılınç, E. Bacaksız, and S. Nezir, “Structure and optical properties of Zn1−xFexO thin films prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis”, Mat. Sci. Eng. B138, 74 (2007). 10.1016/j.mseb.2007.01.026Search in Google Scholar

[20] L. Xu and X. Li, “Influence of Fe-doping on the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel method”, J. Cryst. Growth 312, 851 (2010). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2009.12.06210.1016/j.jcrysgro.2009.12.062Search in Google Scholar

[21] A. Parra-Palomino, O. Perales-Perez, R. Singhal, M. Tomar, J. Hwang, and P.M. Voyles, “Structural, optical, and magnetic characterization of monodisperse Fe-doped ZnO nanocrystals”, J. Appl. Phys. 103, 07D121 (2008). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.283470510.1063/1.2834705Search in Google Scholar

[22] A. Srivastava, R.K. Shukla, and K.P. Misra, “Photoluminescence from screen printed ZnO based nanocrystalline films”, Cryst. Res. Technol. 46, 949 (2011). Search in Google Scholar

[23] A.S. Russell and J.C. Carver, “Reduction of ions of nickel, cobalt, iron and other metals by zinc amalgam”, Nature 142, 210 (1938). http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/142210a010.1038/142210a0Search in Google Scholar

[24] K. Jayanthi, S.V. Manorama, and S. Chawla, “Obserbation of Nd3+ visible line emission in ZnO: Nd3+ prepared by a controlled reaction in the solid state”, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 46, 325101 (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/46/32/32510110.1088/0022-3727/46/32/325101Search in Google Scholar

[25] R.N. Gayen, K. Sarkar, S. Hussain, R. Bhar, and A.K. Pal, “Effect of annealing temperatures on properties of sol-gel grown ZnO-ZrO2 films”, Indian J. Pure Appl. Phys. 49, 470 (2011). Search in Google Scholar

[26] S.L. Patil, M.A. Chougule, S,G. Pawar, S. Sen, and V.B. Patil, “Effect of camphor sulfonic acid doping on structural, morphological, optical and electrical transport properties on polyaniline-ZnO nanocomposites”, Soft Nanoscience Lett. 2, 46 (2012). Search in Google Scholar

[27] X-W. Du, Y-S. Fu, J. Sun, X. Han, and J. Liu, “Complete UV emission of ZnO nanoparticles in a PMMA matrix”, Semicond. Sci. Technol. 21, 1202 (2006). http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0268-1242/21/8/03710.1088/0268-1242/21/8/037Search in Google Scholar

[28] T. Ivanova, A. Harizanova, T. Koutzarova, and B. Vertruyen, “Effect of annealing temperatures on properties of sol-gel grown ZnO-ZrO2 films”, Cryst. Res. Technol. 45, 1154 (2010). http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/crat.20100042710.1002/crat.201000427Search in Google Scholar

[29] P.D.C. King and T.D. Veal, “Conductivity in transparent oxide semiconductors”, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter. 23, 334214 (2011). Search in Google Scholar

[30] H. Matsui and H. Tabata, “Lattice, band, and spin engineering in Zn1−xCoxO”, J. Appl. Phys. 113, 183525 (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.480465610.1063/1.4804656Search in Google Scholar

[31] Y.S. Wang, P.J. Thomas, and P. O’Brien, “Optical properties of ZnO nanocrystals doped with Cd, Mg, Mn, and Fe Ions”, J. Phys. Chem. B110, 21412 (2006). 10.1021/jp0654415Search in Google Scholar PubMed

[32] J.H. Zheng, J.L. Song, Z. Zhao, Q. Jiang, and J.S. Lian, “Optical and magnetic properties of Nd-doped ZnO nanoparticles”, Cryst. Res. Technol. 47, 713 (2012). http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/crat.20120002610.1002/crat.201200026Search in Google Scholar

[33] R.B. Bylsma,.M. Becker, J. Kossut, and U. Debska, “Dependence of energy gap on x and T in Zn1−xMnxSe: The role of exchange interaction”, Phys. Rev. B33, 8207 (1986). http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.33.820710.1103/PhysRevB.33.8207Search in Google Scholar

[34] J. Diouri, J.P. Lascaray, and M. El Amrani, “Effect of the magnetic order on the optical-absorption edge in Cd and Mn, Te”, Phys. Rev. B31, 7995 (1985). http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.31.799510.1103/PhysRevB.31.7995Search in Google Scholar PubMed

[35] Y.R. Lee and A.K. Ramdas, “Energy gap, excitonic, and “internal” Mn2+ optical transition in Mn-based II–VI diluted magnetic semiconductors”, Phys. Rev. B38, 10600 (1988). http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.38.1060010.1103/PhysRevB.38.10600Search in Google Scholar PubMed

[36] J.K. Furdyna, “Diluted magnetic semiconductors”, J. Appl. Phys. 64, R29 (1988). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.34170010.1063/1.341700Search in Google Scholar

[37] T. Fukumura, Z. Jin, A. Ohtomo, H. Koinuma, and M. Kawasaki, “An oxide-diluted magnetic semiconductor: Mn-doped ZnO”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 75, 3366 (1999). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.12535310.1063/1.125353Search in Google Scholar

[38] Q. Guoqiang, Z. Guanglei, Y. Jinhui, Y. Gang, F. Hua, and J. Fengqiu, “Electronic band gap of ZnO under triaxial strain”, J. Wuhan University of Tech.-Mater. Sci. Ed. 28, 48 (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11595-013-0638-010.1007/s11595-013-0638-0Search in Google Scholar

[39] R.E. Marotti, D.N. Guerra, C. Bello, G. Machado, and E.A. Dalchiele “Band gap energy tuning of electrochemically grown ZnO thin films by thickness and electrodeposition potential”, Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C82, 85 (2004). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2004.01.00810.1016/j.solmat.2004.01.008Search in Google Scholar

[40] S.S. Kurbanov, G.N. Panin, T.W. Kim, and T.W. Kang, “Impact of visible light illumination on ultraviolet emission from ZnO nanocrystals”, Phys. Rev. B78, 045311 (2008). http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.78.04531110.1103/PhysRevB.78.045311Search in Google Scholar

[41] H.D. Li, S.F. Yu, A.P. Abiyasa, Clement Yuen, S.P. Lau, H.Y. Yang, Eunice S.P. Leong, “Strain dependence of lasing mechanisms in ZnO epilayers”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 261111 (2005). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.196841810.1063/1.1968418Search in Google Scholar

[42] L. Irimpan, V.P.N. Nampoori, P. Radhakrishnan, A. Deepthy, and B. Krishnan, “Size dependent fluorescence spectroscopy of nanocolloids of ZnO”, J. Appl. Phys. 102, 063524 (2007). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.277863710.1063/1.2778637Search in Google Scholar

[43] A. Ghosh and R.N.P. Choudhary, “Structural evolution and visible photoluminescence of Zn-ZnO nanophosphor”, Phys. Status Solidi A206, 535 (2009). http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssa.20082440710.1002/pssa.200824407Search in Google Scholar

[44] B. Lin, Z. Fu, and Y. Jia, “Green luminescent center in undoped zinc oxide films deposited on silicon substrates”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 79, 943 (2001). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.139417310.1063/1.1394173Search in Google Scholar

[45] P.S. Xu, Y.M. Sun, C.S. Shi, F.Q. Xu, and H.B. Pan, “The electronic structure and spectral properties of ZnO and its defects”, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B199, 286 (2003). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-583X(02)01425-810.1016/S0168-583X(02)01425-8Search in Google Scholar

[46] L. M. Kukreja, P. Misra, J. Fallert, D.M. Phase, and H. Kalt, “Correlation of spectral features of photoluminescence with residual native defects of ZnO thin films annealed at different temperatures”, J. Appl. Phys. 112, 013525 (2012). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.473077410.1063/1.4730774Search in Google Scholar

[47] C.H. Ahn, Y.Y. Kim, D.C. Kim, S.K. Mohanta, and H.K. Cho, “A comparative analysis of deep level emission in ZnO layers deposited by various methods”, J. Appl. Phys. 105, 013502 (2009). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.305417510.1063/1.3054175Search in Google Scholar

[48] A. Janotti and C.G. Van de Walle, “Native point defects in ZnO”, Phys. Rev. B76, 165202 (2007). http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.76.16520210.1103/PhysRevB.76.165202Search in Google Scholar

[49] D.C. Reynolds, D.C. Look, B. Jogai, and H. Morkoc, “Similarities in the band edge and deep-centre photoluminescence mechanisms of ZnO and GaN”, Solid State Commun. 101, 643 (1997). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0038-1098(96)00697-710.1016/S0038-1098(96)00697-7Search in Google Scholar

[50] D.C. Reynolds, D.C. Look, B. Jogai, J.E. Van Nostrand, R. Jones, and J. Jenny, “Source of the yellow luminescence band in GaN grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy and the green luminescence band in single crystal ZnO”, Solid State Commun. 106, 701 (1998). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0038-1098(98)00048-910.1016/S0038-1098(98)00048-9Search in Google Scholar

[51] A.F. Kohan, G. Ceder, D. Morgan, and C.G. Van de Walle, “First-principles study of native point defects in ZnO”, Phys. Rev. B61, 15019 (2000). http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.61.1501910.1103/PhysRevB.61.15019Search in Google Scholar

[52] T. Sekiguchi, N. Ohashi, and Y. Terada, “Effect of hydrogenation on ZnO luminescence”, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Part 2 36, L289 (1997). http://dx.doi.org/10.1143/JJAP.36.L28910.1143/JJAP.36.L289Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2013-12-29
Published in Print: 2014-3-1

© 2014 SEP, Warsaw

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Downloaded on 25.5.2024 from https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.2478/s11772-014-0179-x/html
Scroll to top button