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Structural, optical, and luminescence properties of Ni2+-doped ZnO–CdS nanocomposite: synthesis and investigations for green light emission

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Abstract

In this study, we investigate the effects of Ni2+-ion incorporation on the crystal structure, morphology, optical and emission properties of ZnO–CdS nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the preservation of the hexagonal crystal structure of ZnO and CdS, with a mean grain size of 17 nm. The lattice cell parameters and internal lattice strain of the nanocomposites were also estimated. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to determine the morphological properties and chemical composition of the nanocomposites. Furthermore, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis, optical absorption measurements, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were utilized to investigate the coordination geometry, bonding nature, and luminescent properties of the Ni-doped nanocomposites. The EPR spectrum exhibited a well-resolved signal resonance at g ≈ 2.194, signifying the octahedral geometry of the Ni2+ atoms. The crystal field parameter (Dq = 845) and Racah parameters (B = 820 cm−1 and C = 3250 cm−1) were calculated based on the results of the optical absorption study. EPR and optical investigations revealed that the Ni atoms were positioned in an octahedral geometry and bonded covalently with neighboring ligands. Moreover, the effect of Ni2+ ions on the ZnO–CdS nanocomposites was confirmed through PL spectroscopy: the intense green emission band at 547 nm was attributed to the d-d transitions of the Ni2+ ions. The evaluated correlated color temperature of 6625 K suggests a green light emission near cold white light.

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Acknowledgments

One of the authors, Thirumala Rao Gurugubelli, wishes to express his gratitude to the GMRIT management for providing financial assistance through the SEAD grant for the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Division, Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, GMR Institute of Technology, GMR Nagar, Rajam, Andhra Pradesh, 532127, India

    Thirumala Rao Gurugubelli

  2. Department of Physics, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, 522 510, India

    R. V. S. S. N. Ravikumar

  3. Department of Robotics and Intelligent Machine Engineering, College of Mechanical and IT Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, Republic of Korea

    Ravindranadh Koutavarapu

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  1. Thirumala Rao Gurugubelli
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  2. R. V. S. S. N. Ravikumar
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Correspondence to Thirumala Rao Gurugubelli, R. V. S. S. N. Ravikumar or Ravindranadh Koutavarapu.

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Gurugubelli, T.R., Ravikumar, R.V.S.S.N. & Koutavarapu, R. Structural, optical, and luminescence properties of Ni2+-doped ZnO–CdS nanocomposite: synthesis and investigations for green light emission. Chem. Pap. 76, 557–566 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-021-01888-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-021-01888-1

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