Zn1-xCoxO nanoparticles: Synthesis and study of enhanced optical and structural properties

We have synthesized the Zn1-xCoxO (x= 0, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) using Sol-gel method. The structural properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction. Optical properties were characterized using UV-VIS and FT-IR spectroscopy. The lattice parameters were refined using Reitveld refinement which also reveals that all the peaks in XRD patterns were indexed in the wurtzite type hexagonal structure with space group P 63 mc. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of functional groups and chemical bonding. The band gap of each sample was calculated by adopting Kubelka-Munk transformed reflectance spectra and effect of doping on band gap is also studied.