Incorporation of Cu Acceptors in ZnO Nanocrystals

Journal Article · Thu Sep 16 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Journal of Applied Physics, 108(6):Article No. 064301

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3486060· OSTI ID:990127

Oo, W M.H.; Mccluskey, Matthew D; Huso, Jesse; Morrison, J; Bergman, Leah; Engelhard, Mark H; Saraf, Laxmikant V

Doping of semiconductor nanocrystals is an important problem in nanomaterials research. Using infrared (IR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), we have observed Cu acceptor dopants that were intentionally introduced into ZnO nanocrystals. The incorporation of Cu2+ dopants increased as the diameter of the nanocrystals was increased from ~3 to 5 nm. Etching the nanocrystals with acetic acid revealed a core-shell structure, where a 2-nm lightly doped core is surrounded by a heavily doped shell. These observations are consistent with the trapped dopant model, in which dopant atoms stick to the surface of the core and are overgrown by the nanocrystal material.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 990127
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-71562; JAPIAU; KP1704020; TRN: US201020%%137
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, 108(6):Article No. 064301, Vol. 108, Issue 6; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACETIC ACID
ATOMS
ETCHING
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY