Abstract
Co-precipitation route synthesized undoped ZnO and Sm-substituted ZnO nanomaterials are characterized using XRD, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, HRTEM and XAS techniques. Rietveld-refined XRD patterns and Raman spectra correspond to wurtzite structure similar to ZnO for all samples. For Sm-substituted ZnO samples, observed fluctuating lattice parameters suggest dopant-induced agitation in host lattice. Full incorporation of Sm cation can be seen by wurtzite ZnO nanolattice but for higher doping ,Sm cation is not fully incorporated and a new cubic phase of Sm2O3 is observed with our XRD and Raman analyses. From our TEM micrographs, particle sizes of undoped ZnO and Sm-substituted ZnO samples are found between 21 and 24 nm in spherical shape for undoped ZnO and nanorods for Sm-substituted ZnO samples. Absorption spectra analyses report a decrease in bandgap energy for Sm-substituted ZnO samples from 3.20 to 3.16 eV. X-ray absorption edges of Zn L-2,L-3 edge, O K edge and Sm M-4,M-5 edge measurements confirm the valence state of Sm cations is + 3 and the valence state of Zn ions is + 2 along with an increase in introduction of oxygen vacancies with Sm substitution in nanolattice. These nanoparticles can be suitable alternatives for various applications like oxygen transportation, UV blockers, photocatalyst and optoelectronics.