Spectral characterizations of undoped and Cu2+doped CdO nanopowder

Undoped and Cu2+ doped CdO nanopowders were prepared by solid state reaction method with the aid of ultrasonic waves. The prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, optical absorption, photoluminescence, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and FT-IR spectroscopy techniques. From powder XRD pattern the lattice cell parameters and average crystallite sizes were evaluated. SEM images gave the stone like morphologies in the prepared sample. Optical and EPR data confirmed that the doped Cu2+ ions enter in the host material as rhombically distorted octahedral site. Photoluminescence spectra of undoped and Cu2+ doped CdO exhibited a weak UV and a strong blue emission band at 418, 446 nm and a weak UV and a strong blue-green emission band at 427, 481 nm respectively under the excitation wavelength of 380 nm. The CIE chromaticity coordinates were also calculated from emission spectrum for undoped and Cu2+ doped samples as (x = 0.151, y = 0.112) and (x = 0.158, y = 0.165) respectively. The presences of various functional groups related to metal oxide and organic molecular groups were identified in the FT-IR spectra.