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High quality ZnO/CuO nanocomposites synthesized by microwave assisted reaction

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Abstract

Highly crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) and ZnO/CuO nanocomposite powders have been synthesized by a facile microwave irradiation method. The resulting powders were characterized in terms of structural, optical and morphological properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. XRD patterns revealed the formation of ZnO/CuO nanocomposites with good crystalline quality. SEM images displayed the formation of hexagonal ZnO and flower shaped agglomeration of ZnO/CuO nano-flakes with uniform production. The strong UV emission peak observed at around 380 nm show enhanced intensity for ZnO/CuO nanocomposite. Compared to ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO/CuO composites exhibit good transparency with sharp absorbance edges. The simplicity of synthesis route coupled with better optical and PL emission properties propose the microwave synthesized ZnO/CuO nanocomposite powders a promising material for optoelectronic devices.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the University Grants Commission (Major Research Project-File No: 40-441/2011), India which is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Research Department of Physics, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, 620017, Tamilnadu, India

    K. Vijayalakshmi & K. Karthick

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  1. K. Vijayalakshmi
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Correspondence to K. Vijayalakshmi.

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Vijayalakshmi, K., Karthick, K. High quality ZnO/CuO nanocomposites synthesized by microwave assisted reaction. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 25, 832–836 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-013-1653-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-013-1653-9

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