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Effect of low and relatively long-term gamma irradiation on physical properties of ZnO and ZnO:Co thin films

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology volume 108, pages 798–808 (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, undoped zinc oxide and cobalt-doped thin films were deposited on glass substrates using a sol–gel dip-coating technic. The effect of gamma irradiation on structural, morphological, and optical properties of the samples was investigated. Different analyses including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) were applied to evaluate the physical changes due to gamma irradiation of the 60Co gamma-ray source. Furthermore, the sensing performance of the samples toward ethylene glycol vapor was investigated before and after irradiation. The results revealed that under low and relatively long-term gamma irradiation, tangible effects on various physical properties (especially optical and sensing characteristics) can be observed. According to our data, in undoped zinc oxide, a higher sensitivity is observed (with an increase of 2.5 times), whereas in cobalt doped, the sensitivity is reduced (with a 1.8 times reduction).

Highlights

  • ZnO and ZnO:Co thin films have been prepared by the sol-gel dip coating method.

  • Physical properties were examined by exposing to gamma irradiation for 40 days.

  • Gamma irradiation effectively affected the optical properties of the samples.

  • Ethylene glycol sensing of ZnO is increased by 2.5 times after irradiation.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to sincerely thank Dr. Somayeh Saadat Niavol for her responsible partnership to prepare this article, especially in the sensor section.

Author contributions

HB: Conceptualization/Methodology/Formal analysis/Investigation/Writing – Original Draft. MS: Conceptualization/Methodology/Formal analysis/Investigation/Writing – Original Draft. MHA: Writing – Original Draft/Writing – Review &; Editing. ABK: Validation/Investigation/Resources/Data Curation/Writing – Original Draft/Writing – Review &; Editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nano Research Lab, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran

    Hamed Beigli, Mahdi Shaddoust, Mohammad Hadi Ahmadi & Abbas Bagheri Khatibani

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  1. Hamed Beigli
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  2. Mahdi Shaddoust
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  3. Mohammad Hadi Ahmadi
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  4. Abbas Bagheri Khatibani
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Correspondence to Abbas Bagheri Khatibani.

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Beigli, H., Shaddoust, M., Ahmadi, M.H. et al. Effect of low and relatively long-term gamma irradiation on physical properties of ZnO and ZnO:Co thin films. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 108, 798–808 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06229-0

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