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Structure and optical properties of nano-ZnMn2O4/CuS solid solution heterostructure

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for optical, photonic and optoelectronic applications
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Abstract

Nano-ZnMn2O4 sample was coupled with nano-CuS using co-precipitation and thermolysis methods. All X-ray patterns for different values of alloying parameter (x) in (1–x) ZnMn2O4/xCuS (x = 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2) system, disclosed only single tetragonal ZnMn2O4 (ZMO) phase. Rietveld refinement examined the distortion in tetrahedral and octahedral sites of ZMO upon coupled with CuS. The cation distribution between different sites was also investigated using Rietveld analysis method. The cell parameters were affected by the composition of the sample and dragging effect. The effect of solid solution between ZMO and CuS, on tetrahedral and octahedra bands of ZMO phase was studied. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra were measured to confirm the incorporation of Cu and S ions into the ZMO lattice and to determine the oxidation states of different ions. The optical band gap energies for (1–x)ZnMn2O4/xCuS samples are 2.49, 2.57, 2.61, and 2.55 eV; x = 0, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2, respectively. The effect of the insertion of Cu and S ions in the ZMO lattice on the different optical parameters and emitted colors was explored using UV diffused reflectance and photoluminescence spectrophotometer techniques.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

  • Cu and S ions dissolved into the ZnMn2O4 (ZMO) lattice to form nano-(1–x)ZnMn2O4/xCuS solid solution.

  • XPS confirmed the existence of sulfur in ZMO matrix and the presence of Mn in two oxidation states (2, 3).

  • The optical band gap of the solid solution samples was increased irregularly as the number of Cu and S ions increased in ZMO matrix.

  • (1–x)ZnMn2O4/xCuS samples can be used in capacitance and shorter response time’s device.

  • The reduction in PL intensity in the solid solution sample with x = 0.2 nominated their applications as photo-catalysts.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the support of Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/12), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

    Zein K. Heiba & Mohamed Bakr Mohamed

  2. Department of Physics, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia

    Ali Badawi

  3. Department of Physics, University College of Turabah, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia

    Ali Badawi

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  1. Zein K. Heiba
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  2. Mohamed Bakr Mohamed
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  3. Ali Badawi
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Correspondence to Zein K. Heiba or Ali Badawi.

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Heiba, Z.K., Mohamed, M.B. & Badawi, A. Structure and optical properties of nano-ZnMn2O4/CuS solid solution heterostructure. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 101, 637–648 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05752-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05752-w

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