Crystal Structure and Optical Properties of ZnO:Ce Nano Film

ZnO and cerium-doped ZnO on a glass substrate have been prepared by the sol-gel method using the spin coating technique and water bath growth process. Ce-doping concentration on film structure, morphology, and optical properties is investigated. The result indicated that the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO with high crystalline quality formed on the substrate. The crystal parameters a and c decreased, crystal size increased, and the compressive strain formed after Ce-doping. Formed un-, 3%, 6%, 12% Ce-doped ZnO film has a spherical shape with a size between 8.6-31, 14-52, 18-56, and 20-91 nm, respectively. All films had good absorption of 300-400 nm ultraviolet light, in particular, the absorption of near ultraviolet (370-400 nm) increased after doping of Ce. The transmittance of light between 400-800 nm decreased with Ce-doping concentration. The band gap energy increased after Ce-doping reaching better optical behavior for preparing ZnO heterostructured thin-film. All film emitted intense blue emission under 375 nm excitation at room temperature. This indicated the film can have application in optoelectronic devices.