Detailed of X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence studies of Ce doped ZnO nanocrystals

Pristine and Ce doped ZnO nanopowders were synthesized by simple refluxing technique. A detailed X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to evaluate the contribution of dopant ion concentration on strain and lattice parameters. A particle size of 20 nm was obtained via TEM studies. Spherical morphology was obtained for Ce doped ZnO nanocrystals. Multiple emission bands were observed for pristine and doped ZnO samples where, 401 nm emission band corresponds to a contribution due to free excitons recombination through an exciton–exciton collisions. With the Ce addition, the surface defects increases and the emission intensity decreases.

► Controlled single step synthesis of spherical ZnO nanocrystals. ► Influence of Ce3+ doping on photoluminescence characteristics. ► The work pursued includes synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals, detailed X-ray diffraction analysis, morphology, size determination and studies on radiative recombination processes for pristine and Ce doped ZnO nanocrystals.