ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Effect of Cu²⁺ doping on the structural and optical properties of ZnAl₂O₄ nanosheets

Lakshmiprasad Maddi, Thirumala Rao Gurugubelli, Bathula Babu, and Kisoo Yoo

Physics Division, Department of Basic Sciences & Humanities, GMR Institute of Technology, Rajam, India

E-mail: thirumala.phy@gmail.com

Received: 10 July 2022  Accepted: 7 September 2022

Abstract:

Pristine and Cu-doped ZAO nanosheets have been successfully synthesized using the hydrothermal path. XRD analysis confirmed ZAO's single-phase cubic spinel structure. The morphology of ZAO changed significantly from micro-hexagons to nanosheets with the doping of Cu ions. The XPS spectra of Cu doped ZAO confirm the presence of Zn, Al, O and Cu at 2+ , 3+ , 2− and 2+ oxidation states, respectively. The bandgap of Cu-doped ZAO nanosheets is less than that of pure ZAO. Due to the tunable bandgap, the synthesized material can be used as a potential candidate for energy-based applications.

Keywords: ZnAl2O4; Nanosheets; Cu-doping; Bandgap

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02480-x

Chemical Papers 77 (1) 241–248 (2023)