<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique, pure (ZnO) and manganese (4at%)-doped zinc oxide (ZnMnO) thin films were synthesized and treated with Ar<sup>+</sup> sputtering in the UHV (ultra-high vacuum) system. In this regard, XRD (X-ray diffraction), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), PL (photoluminescence), and AFM (atomic force microscopy) techniques were applied to investigate the electronic and photonic properties of ZnO. XRD and XPS allowed us to identify the successful incorporation of Mn as a substitute for Zn, while PL and AFM images reveal a high tendency for crystalline grains on theZnMnO surface to aggregate to form small grains. However, bandgap narrowing, a redshift with considerable fluctuations in excitonic emission, and a perfect quenching of visible emission (400–640 nm) were observed. Investigations into defect-related emission in ZnMnO and ZnO compounds were conducted. The PL spectra of the prepared samples were measured and analyzed using Gaussian fitting. The PL of undoped ZnOexhibited an intense broad band with a peak at 550 nm. Two effects were shown to occur as a result of Mn doping: (i) a sharp quenching of self-activated PL with a progressive red-shift of the quenching’s spectral boundary; (ii) the appearance of a new emission band with a peak at 1.64 eV (756 nm), which dominates the PL spectrum and is noted in a band diagram; as well as a slight shift in the main line of ZnO, which is located at energy 3.275 eV (378.57nm).</p>
</abstract>

Using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique, pure (ZnO) and manganese (4at%)-doped zinc oxide (ZnMnO) thin films were synthesized and treated with Ar+ sputtering in the UHV (ultra-high vacuum) system. In this regard, XRD (X-ray diffraction), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), PL (photoluminescence), and AFM (atomic force microscopy) techniques were applied to investigate the electronic and photonic properties of ZnO. XRD and XPS allowed us to identify the successful incorporation of Mn as a substitute for Zn, while PL and AFM images reveal a high tendency for crystalline grains on theZnMnO surface to aggregate to form small grains. However, bandgap narrowing, a redshift with considerable fluctuations in excitonic emission, and a perfect quenching of visible emission (400–640 nm) were observed. Investigations into defect-related emission in ZnMnO and ZnO compounds were conducted. The PL spectra of the prepared samples were measured and analyzed using Gaussian fitting. The PL of undoped ZnOexhibited an intense broad band with a peak at 550 nm. Two effects were shown to occur as a result of Mn doping: (i) a sharp quenching of self-activated PL with a progressive red-shift of the quenching’s spectral boundary; (ii) the appearance of a new emission band with a peak at 1.64 eV (756 nm), which dominates the PL spectrum and is noted in a band diagram; as well as a slight shift in the main line of ZnO, which is located at energy 3.275 eV (378.57nm).

Improving optical and morphological properties of Mn-doped ZnO via Ar ion sputtering followed by high-temperature UHV annealing

Materials Science-Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique, pure (ZnO) and manganese (4at%)-doped zinc oxide (ZnMnO) thin films were synthesized and treated with Ar+...

Improving optical and morphological properties of Mn-doped ZnO via Ar ion sputtering followed by high-temperature UHV annealing

Published Online: Nov 29, 2023

Page range: 325 - 338

Received: Mar 22, 2023

Accepted: Sep 17, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/msp-2023-0024

Keywords
characterization, ZnMnO, optical, Mn incorporation, morphological, defects, band diagram

© 2023 Elhachemi Zehar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Improving optical and morphological properties of Mn-doped ZnO via Ar ion sputtering followed by high-temperature UHV annealing

Published Online: Nov 29, 2023

Page range: 325 - 338

Received: Mar 22, 2023

Accepted: Sep 17, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/msp-2023-0024

Keywordscharacterization, ZnMnO, optical, Mn incorporation, morphological, defects, band diagram

© 2023 Elhachemi Zehar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
characterization, ZnMnO, optical, Mn incorporation, morphological, defects, band diagram