Polycrystalline ZnO and Mn-doped ZnO nanorod arrays with variable dopant content via a template based synthesis from Zn(II) and Mn(II) Schiff base type single source molecular precursors

The synthesis and full characterisation of pure and Mn-doped polycrystalline zinc oxide nanorods with tailored dopant content are obtained via a single source molecular precursor approach using two Schiff base type coordination compounds is reported. The infiltration of precursor solutions into the cylindrical pores of a polycarbonate template and their thermal conversion into a ceramic green body followed by dissolution of the template gives the desired ZnO and Mn-doped ZnO nanomaterial as compact rods. The ZnO nanorods have a mean diameter between 170 and 180 nm or 60–70 nm, depending on the template pore size employed, comprising a length of 5–6 μm. These nanorods are composed of individual sub-5 nm ZnO nanocrystals. Exact doping of these hierarchically structured ZnO nanorods was achieved by introducing Mn(II) into the ZnO host lattice with the precursor complex Diaquo-bis[2-(meth-oxyimino)-propanoato]manganese, which allows to tailor the exact Mn(II) doping content of the ZnO rods. Investigation of the Mn-doped ZnO samples by XRD, TEM, XPS, PL and EPR, reveals that manganese occurs exclusively in its oxidation state + II and is distributed within the volume as well as on the surface of the ZnO host.

Manganese doped and pure polycrystalline zinc oxide nanorods are accessible via a solution-based molecular route, introducing two Schiff base type coordination compounds of Zn(II) and Mn(II) as single source precursors. Variable doping of the ZnO nanorods was achieved by introducing Mn(II) into the ZnO host lattice through the complex Diaquo-bis[2-(meth-oxyimino)-propanoato]manganese, which allows to tailor the exact Mn(II) doping ratio in the ZnO rods. Investigation of the Mn-doped ZnO samples with XRD, TEM, XPS, PL and EPR reveals that manganese occurs exclusively in oxidation state + II and is distributed within the volume as well as on the surface of the ZnO host.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide