Fabrication of nano-sized solid solution of Zn1-xMnxO(x=0•05, 0•10, 0•15) in reverse microemulsions: Structural characterization and properties

Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by reverse micellar method using Tergitol NP9 as a surfactant for the first time. These nanoparticles were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction analysis. Structural analysis and optical studies revealed that manganese is incorporated into the ZnO host lattice forming a solid solution. Transmission electron microscopic studies show that the particle size increases from 20-50 nm on increasing the dopant concentration from 0 center dot 05-0 center dot 15. The specific surface area of ZnMn (x) O (x = 0 center dot 05, 0 center dot 10 and 0 center dot 15) as calculated using BET method was found to be 202 center dot 62, 145 center dot 78 and 75 center dot 66 m(2)g (-aEuro parts per thousand 1), respectively which are higher than the reported values so far.