Magnesium doping in hierarchical ZnO nanostructures and studies on optical properties

► Mg2+ doping in hierarchical zinc oxide nanostructures has been carried out by a simple aqueous method. ► On incorporation of Mg2+ ions, the morphology of zinc oxide changes from hierarchical nanostructures to rods. ► The optical absorption and photoluminescence properties of the nanostructures depend on the doping level.