Ni-Doped ZnO Thin Films: Deposition, Characterization and Photocatalytic Applications
K Moorthy1, S S R Inbanathan1, C Gopinathan2
1Postgraduate and Research Department of Physics, The American College, Madurai 625002, India.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|January 6, 2021
Summary
Nickel-doped zinc oxide (Ni-ZnO) thin films with root-like structures were synthesized. These Ni-ZnO films demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic activity, degrading methyl orange dye significantly faster than pure ZnO films.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photocatalysis
Background:
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a versatile semiconductor with applications in photocatalysis.
- Doping ZnO can modify its structural, optical, and electronic properties.
- Developing efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize root-like structured Ni-doped ZnO thin films.
- To investigate the effect of Ni doping on ZnO's morphology and structural properties.
- To evaluate the photocatalytic performance of Ni-doped ZnO for methyl orange degradation.
Main Methods:
- Spray pyrolysis technique at 573±5 K substrate temperature.
- Characterization using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, EDX, and AFM.
- Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye under UV irradiation.
Main Results:
- Ni-doped ZnO films exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure with reduced particle size and lattice strain.
- SEM revealed a dense, branched root-like morphology for Ni-doped ZnO.
- AFM showed homogeneous grains and reduced RMS roughness in Ni-doped samples.
- Ni-doped ZnO degraded 60% of MO dye in 100 min, compared to 150 min for pure ZnO.
Conclusions:
- Ni doping effectively modifies the morphology and enhances the photocatalytic activity of ZnO thin films.
- The root-like nanostructure and optimized properties contribute to improved degradation efficiency.
- Ni-doped ZnO presents a promising material for environmental remediation applications.
