Photoluminescence, Optical Energy Gap and Electrical properties of Mn-Doped ZnO Nanorods Synthesized by CBD Method

Abstract

Abstract In this work, un-doped and Manganese doped Zinc Oxide Nanorods (NRs) thin films were grown on the glass substrates using chemical bath deposition method (CBD) at 80 °C temperature. The effect of Mn content (0, 2 and 4%) on the structural, morphology, optical and photoluminescence characteristics of ZnO NRs films was investigated. The XRD patterns of un-doped and Mn-doped ZnO NRs demonstrate sharp and strong peaks together with high crystalline structure. The FESEM images showed that the nanorods of ZnO and Mn:ZnO were well-aligned and distributed throughout the films. The absorption edge was observed to be blue-shifted and the optical energy gap was found to be widening from (3.21, to 3.31) eV with increased Mn content. The photoluminescence spectrum (PL) of Mn-doped samples was examined, at room temperature, and revealed of highly UV emission, whereas the green-yellow wavelengths emissions were enhanced with increased Mn content. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics showed that the photocurrents of all prepared samples are enhanced and the Mn doped samples showed a good response, under UV light.