Structural and optical properties of Ni doped ZnSe nanoparticles

In the present work synthesis of ZnSe:Ni nanoparticles using a simple solvothermal method has been discussed. The structural characterizations of as synthesized materials were done by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and High resolution transmission microscope (HRTEM) imaging techniques, which revealed formation of core-shell nanoparticles with crystallite size 2-4 nm. The structural parameters such as lattice constants, internal strain, dislocation density etc. of ZnSe and Ni doped ZnSe nanocrystals were estimated. Nickel doping in ZnSe host is verified by the Raman spectroscopy. Optical properties were diagnosed by UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The observed blue-shift in UV-vis absorption edge of the prepared sample of ZnSe as compared to its value for the bulk counterpart indicates formation of nanosized particles. PL spectra of Ni2+ doped samples indicate red-shift and improved emission intensity.