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1589471 
Journal Article 
Structural and optical characterization of Zn doped TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel method 
Chauhan, R; Kumar, A; Chaudhary, RamPal 
2012 
Yes 
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology
ISSN: 0928-0707
EISSN: 1573-4846 
61 
3 
585-591 
WOS:000301544000017 
Undoped and zinc-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (Ti1-xZnxO2 where
x = 0.00-0.10) were synthesized by a sol-gel method. The synthesized products were characterized
by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope
(TEM) and UV-VIS spectrometer. XRD pattern confirmed the tetragonal structure of synthesized
samples. Average grain size was determined from X-ray line broadening using the Debye-Scherrer
relation. The crystallite size was varied from 10 to 40 nm as the calcination temperature was
increased from 350 to 800 degrees C. The incorporation of 3-5 mol% Zn2+ in place of the Ti4+
provoked a slight decrease in the size of nanocrystals as compared to undoped TiO2. The SEM and
TEM micrographs revealed the agglomerated spherical-like morphology with a diameter of about 10-
30 nm and length of several nanometers, which is in agreement with XRD results. Optical
absorption measurements indicated a blue shift in the absorption band edge upon 3-5 mol% zinc
doping. Direct allowed band gap of undoped and Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles measured by UV-VIS
spectrometer were 2.95 and 3.00 eV at 550 degrees C, respectively. 
Nanoparticles; Sol-gel method; Optical absorption; X-ray diffraction (XRD); UV-vis spectrometer; Scanning electron microscope; Transmission electron microscope