Synthesis and characterization of al doped zno nanopowders by microwave assisted hydrothermal method

In this study, after undoped and Al doped ZnO nanopowders were produced with microwave assisted hydrothermal method, the produced nanopowders were investigated on the structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties. The ZnO nanopowders were prepared in different zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide molarities, and the best powder ZnO selected to dope with Al. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, DC electrical measurements, reflectance measurements and molecular band structure values were used to investigate structural, morphological, electrical and optical properties of these nanopowders. Also, for comformation of Al and detecting its amount in the ZnO latticez X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used. The presence of Al+3 ions in ZnO nanopowder varied the surface morphology, conductivity and resistivity values. As the amount of Al+3 ions increase, their resistivities have decreased and their conductivities have increased. Using the reflectance measurements, the optical band gap values of the nanopowders were determined by Kubelka-Munk function. The optical band values of Al doped ZnO nanopowders increased with the increase of the Al dopant.