Study of Structural and Optoelectronic Properties of ZnO Codoped with Ca and Mg

Abstract

ZnO codoped with Ca and Mg in various proportions was prepared by a chemical method and annealed at 600 C. The structural and optical properties of these oxide samples were systematically studied by XRD, SEM, EDS, and PL spectrometer. XRD pattern shows a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The size of particle as shown by XRD machine and calculated by Scherer’s formula is found in the nano range. The formation of particles showed that they were polycrystalline. Due to larger ionic and covalent radii of Ca than those of Zinc, a lattice deformation occurs with the development of strain field. New phases were observed in XRD pattern of few samples ZnO-2.2 and ZnO-2.4. SEM micrograph shows the formation of nanoparticles. EDS study confirms the codoping of ZnO with Ca and Mg. Optical properties like photoluminescence emission showed a blue shift in peak wavelength. General conductivity and photoconductivity were found high in samples containing certain proportion of Ca and Mg in comparison with pure ZnO.