Synthesis by sol–gel process, structural and optical properties of nanoparticles of zinc oxide doped vanadium

We report the elaboration of vanadium-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by a sol–gel processing technique. In our approach, the water for hydrolysis was slowly released by esterification reaction followed by a supercritical drying in ethyl alcohol. Vanadium doping concentration of 10 at.% has been investigated. After treatment in air at different temperatures, the obtained nanopowder was characterised by various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL). Analysis by scanning electron microscopy at high resolution shows that the grain size increases with increasing temperature. Thus, in the case of thermal treatment at 500 °C in air, the powder with an average particle size of 25 nm shows a strong luminescence band in the visible range. The intensity and energy position of the obtained PL band depends on the temperature measurement increase. The mechanism of this emission band is discussed.

► Elaboration of vanadium doped ZnO nanoparticles. ► Structural and optical characterizations of ZnO:V. ► The powder shows an average particle size of 25 nm. ► A strong luminescence band in the visible range is appeared.