Crystallographic, structural and compositional parameters of Cu–ZnO nanocrystallites

Abstract

The Cu-doped ZnO nanocrystallites have transpired as one of the most economical multifunctional semiconducting materials. A comprehensive and precision study of crystallographic, structural and compositional parameters of Cu-doped ZnO nanocrystallites synthesized by microwave-assisted aqueous solution method at 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% doping concentrations is presented. The XRD analysis confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of nanocrystallites and plunging of crystal size on doping concentrations below the solubility limit. Elemental compositional analysis revealed the presence of Cu-2p, Zn-2p, O-1s and C-1s states, while high-intensity Zn-2p3/2 XPS peaks in the different doped samples exhibited the energy shifts toward the lower binding energy.