Consequence of cobalt on structural, optical and dielectric properties in ZnO nanostructures

The critical role of cobalt dopant in ZnO nanostructures with different cobalt concentrations has been explored on the basis of structural, optical and dielectric mechanisms. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the Co+2 ions replace Zn+2 ions in the ZnO matrix, producing lattice strain. Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) shows a red shift in optical energy band gap with increase in cobalt content, along with the presence of transitions in high spin states due to tetrahedrally coordinated cobalt ions. The dielectric characterization explains the disparity in dynamic dielectric parameters like capacitance, dielectric constant, tangent loss, AC conductivity and impedance as a function of frequency. Capacitance and both static and dynamic dielectric constants found to be decreasing with cobalt addition. The anomaly in these pronounced parameters can address the key problems of the material at higher frequencies device operation.