EFFECT OF Mn DOPING ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOCRYSTALLINE ZnO

Mn-doped ZnO has emerged as the most studied system for prototype applications in spintronics devices because of its interesting magnetic properties. In this report, nanocrystalline ZnO doped with various concentration of Mn have been synthesized from different precursors using modified ceramic route. Samples are characterized by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. XRD and HRTEM studies confirm the growth of single phase, well crystallized Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Particle size estimated from Rietveld analysis as well as TEM images show a decreasing tendency with the increase in Mn concentration. We observe both band bowing and red shift in optical bandgap by varying the concentration of Mn and precursors. This study demonstrates that Mn concentration is not the only factor but precursors have a definite role on the variation of optical bandgap.