Optimization Control on Growth Morphology, Lattice Scale Features and Optical Response of Al-Incorporated ZnO Nano-Needles

Abstract

A simple approach to synthesize zinc oxide nano-needles using aluminum incorporation at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 2, 5% Al) is reported and a detailed real and reciprocal space imaging is performed employing scanning as well as high resolution transmission electron microscopes which revealed the morphological alterations and provided a comprehensible representation of evolution of fascinating nanostructures, depending on Al-content in bare ZnO. Subsequently optical investigations were carried out by employing UV-Vis, PL and FT-IR spectroscopy inferred to a basis for significant structure-property correlation leading for 2% Al incorporation in ZnO matrix as the highest quality luminescent material.