Effect of Tb3+ ions on the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by chemical bath deposition method

Effect Of Tb3+ Ions On The ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized By Chemical Bath Deposition Method

Lehlohonolo F. Koao^1*, Birhanu F. Dejene¹, Hendrik C. Swart², Setumo V. Motloung³, Tshwafo E. Motaung⁴, Shanganyane P. Hlangothi⁵

¹Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa

²Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P. O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

³Department of Physics, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P. O. Box 94, Medunsa, 0204, South Africa

⁴Department of Chemistry, University of Zululand, Guldengracht st & East Arterial Road, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa

⁵Department of Chemistry, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, P.O. Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa

Adv. Mater. Lett., 2016, 7 (7), pp 529-535

DOI: 10.5185/amlett.2016.6128

Publication Date (Web): Jun 12, 2016

E-mail: koaolf@qwa.ufs.ac.za , koao@webmail.co.za

Full Article

Abstract

Tb3⁺doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method at 80 ºC. All the samples were annealed at 700 ºC to remove the hydroxyl groups confirmed by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTGA). The thermal analysis, structure, morphology and optical properties were characterized. The TGA and DTGA showed that the final yield decreases with an increase in the amount of molar concentration of Tb3⁺ ions. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the ZnO: Tb3⁺ nanoparticles correspond to the various planes of hexagonal ZnO phase for the lower and higher Tb concentration samples. The estimated average grain sizes calculated using the XRD spectra were found to be in the order of 44 ±2 nm. The grain size was found to increase with an increase in the amount of Tb3+ ions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed nanoparticles are obtained for undoped ZnO and emergence of pyramids shape for higher molar concentration of Tb3⁺ ions. The reflectance spectra depict a red shift with an increase in Tb3⁺ molar concentration. Photoluminescence (PL) results showed that the luminescence intensity increased with an increase in the amount of Tb3⁺ ions.