Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles: Synthesis by a modified sol–gel method and characterization

In this work, Fe-doped and mixed ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via a modified sol–gel method using water as unique solvent. The structural properties were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and the results showed the existence of wurtzite ZnO structure. The XRD results also indicate a phase segregation in the samples with more than 2mol% of Fe. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra showed that Fe-doped ZnO exhibited a red-shift of the band-edge and a decrease in band gap energy, as compared to pure ZnO. The surface area increased significantly with the iron addition, and TEM analysis revealed hexagonal nanoparticles. [Display omitted] •Fe doped and mixed ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized until 10mol% Fe.•The synthesis method used is the modified sol–gel method, that use water as only solvent.•The average cristallite size and band gap energy decreased with increase iron dopant.•Fe doped ZnO surface area increased extensively than pure ZnO.