Synthesis and characterization of Mn doped ZnO for thermistor applicaton

Abstract

Doping of Zinc Oxide with Manganese has been done to study the effect of Mn on ZnO properties. Syntheses of samples were done using a simple, easy and cheap Wet chemical approach to reduce growth dependent variables like high pressure, high temperature, etc. Samples were synthesized on a glass substrate to make the process more economical. Atomic fraction of Mn is changed to study its effect on Zn1-xMnxO nanostructures (x= 0%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%). Structural properties of the samples have been studied using X-Ray Diffraction method and Raman Spectroscopy; Morphological study has been done using FESEM; Optical property has been studied using UV Vis spectroscopy and Photoluminescence spectroscopy. These studies depict that Mn doping changes the morphology of ZnO nanostructure from nanoflowers to nanorods with a reduction in diameter. Nanorods preferred to grow in (002) plane, while the lattice parameter, unit cell volume, and bond length increased with Mn doping. Raman spectra show an extra peak for Mn in ZnO. PL study depicted the formation of defects in ZnO nanostructure due to vacancy, interstitial, and antisite defects. Temperature sensing application of Mn doped ZnO is done and the device found to be an NTC resistor and the sensitivity of the device increased with Mn doping.