Title:Influence of Erbium Doping on Hydrothermally Synthesized ZnO Nanostructures and Their Enhanced Gas Sensing Properties
VOLUME: 2 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Parag V. Adhyapak*, Lakshmi D. Bharatula, Amruta Rathi, Sunjae Jang, Taesung Kim and Dinesh Amalnerkar
Affiliation:Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Pune, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Pune, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Pune, School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-Do, School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-Do, School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-Do
Keywords:Hydrothermal process, gas sensing, erbium, zinc oxide, semiconductors, PEG.
Abstract:Background: One of the most widely researched metal oxide semiconductors for versatile
applications is ZnO. Especially the wide bandgap of 3.37 eV and large excitation energy of 60 meV
make it an efficient semiconductor for various optical, electrical and thermal applications. The
promising applications of ZnO include UV absorbers, photo catalysis, solar cells, field effect
transistors, etc.
Methods: Hierarchical Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Erbium doped Zinc Oxide (Er:ZnO) nanostructures
were successfully synthesized by using facile citrate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) assisted
hydrothermal process. The as-prepared ZnO and Er:ZnO samples were characterized by X-ray
diffraction analysis (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Photoluminescence
(PL) spectroscopy and UV–visible spectros-copy. The effect of doping on the formation
of distinctive morphology was systematically established.
Results: Gas sensing activities of the as-prepared samples were monitored by testing reducing gases
like Acetone, Ethanol, Ammonia, TEA, EDA, Formaldehyde and DMSO. The sensitivity towards the
test gases was observed to be increased after Er doping. Both ZnO and Er:ZnO displayed the
maximum response towards Acetone followed by TEA.
Conclusion: Hierarchical ZnO and 3% Er doped ZnO were prepared by facile PEG and citrate assisted
hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology and optical properties were studied using various
characterization methods. All the properties were observed to be enhanced after doping with erbium.
The gas sensing properties at an optimum temperature of 300°C were investigated. The sensitivity
towards the test gases increased after doping. Both ZnO and Er:ZnO displayed the maximum response
towards Acetone followed by TEA.
