Synthesis and characterization of efficient Sr-doped ZnO nanostructures for optoelectronic, and photocatalytic applications

With increasing technological advancements, optoelectronics emergence is inevitable. Various metal oxides are explored for optoelectronics properties and Zinc oxide-based nanostructures have various advantages that can be explored in optoelectronic devices. Nanomaterials that are undoped and Strontium doped were synthesized via a simple wet chemistry route. The study set out to quantify the impact of Strontium doping in Zinc Oxide on optical and photocatalytic properties. The doping of strontium concentration within ZnO varied from 0 % to 3 % by weight of the total molar ratio. The characterization of SZO nanomaterials was done using measurements of X-ray diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy, SEM, Hall effect measurements, UV/Vis, and PL regarding their structural properties, morphological properties, optical properties, and electrical characteristics. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the Sr-doped ZnO had the hexagonal wurtzite structure of zinc oxide. SEM showed that the morphology of Sr-doped ZnO thin films changed by increasing Sr concentration. Meanwhile, the film’s surface was smooth and crack-free. In UV–Vis experiments, the concentration of Sr doping reduced the optical band gap ranges from 3.27 eV to 2.98 eV. All the samples exhibited n-type conductivity in the Hall Effect. Photocatalytic degradation Methylene Blue was studied and SZO (3 at. %) was best for degradation with efficiency over 80 %.