Synthesis, structural and spectral studies of MgZnO:Mn2+ nanoparticles

Nanocrystalline MgZn(1−x)O:xMn2+ powders with 0.05 ≤ x ≤0.25 mol% were synthesized using the combustion method. The Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystallinity and phase purity of the sample prepared. The morphological details were obtained from Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) which revealed the formation of spherical shaped porous particles with increasing particle density as a function of doping concentration. The Diffuse Reflectance (DR) studies were carried out to obtain optical band gap (Eg) and Urbach Energy (Eu). Doping of Mn content from 0.05 mol% to 0.25 mol% MgZnO facilitated tuning of bandgap in the range 3.37 eV to 3.43eV. The photoluminescence (PL) characteristics originating from Mn2+ doping in the MgZnO nanoparticles were also investigated. This material may be explored as a novel phosphor to be excited by near UV LEDs for solid state lighting and display applications.