Synthesis and enhanced properties of cerium doped ZnO nanorods

Pure and 1 mol% Ce doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by the wet chemical solution route. Ce doping shifted XRD peaks to a slightly higher angle. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the rod type morphology of both the nanoparticles with decrease in length and diameter of Ce doped ZnO in the range of 80-120 nm and 16-20 nm, respectively. A sharp lower cutoff at 190 nm and reduction in the bandgap from 3.22 eV to 3.08 eV were observed in UV-vis study. Ce3+ doping resulted in the broadening of the green emission photoluminescence band. An enhanced ionic behavior in doped ZnO resulted in a significant increase in dielectric constant (s=368), piezoelectric coefficient (d(33)=30 pC/N) and ferroelectric properties (P-r=40 mu C/cm(2)). Rectifying I-V characteristics were observed for both the nanoparticles. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.