| dc.contributor.author | Kiprotich, Bett | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kiprotich, Sharon | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ungula, Jatani | |
| dc.contributor.author | Andayi, Andrew W | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-29T06:20:26Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-10-29T06:20:26Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | 10.5923/j.materials.20241402.01 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6745 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Zinc oxide (ZnO) has unique properties that are suitable for solar cell applications. However, there is need to
improve its effectiveness by incorporating dopants into ZnO structure. This study investigates how pH affects the material
characteristics of ZnO:Al:Ga co-doped nanoparticles Nps) with the goal of maximizing their application in solar cell
technology. After the nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel process at different pH values, their optical,
morphological, and structural characteristics were analyzed using various techniques. The observed wurtize crystalline
structure of ZnO:Al:Ga Nps was validated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, with the crystallite size estimated to be
ranging from 18.83 to 20.94 nm for pH values 7 to 13. The XRD pattern of the as-prepared ZnO:Al:Ga Nps matched well
with the Wurtize ZnO crystal structure with variation in peak intensities observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
displayed aggregation of nanoparticles when the precursor pH increased from 7 to 13. The produced ZnO:Al:Ga Nps showed
absorption peaks varying from 380 – 376 nm for precursor pH values 7 – 13, with band gap energy range of 3.26 – 3.29 eV as
determined from the UV-Vis analysis. Decreased transmittance was observed with the higher pH values of 11–13 due to its
larger particles or aggregation tendencies. In addition, chemical bonds and functional groups were examined using
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results confirmed formation of ZnO:Al:Ga Nps as seen in the FTIR
peaks corresponding to Zn-O, Al-O, and Ga-O stretching modes between 400 and 590 cm-1. Additionally, the presence of OH
stretching bands above the 3000 cm-1 region indicates surface hydroxylation. | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | American Journal of Materials Science | en_US |
| dc.subject | Co-doping, ZnO:Al:Ga nanoparticles, Structural properties, Band-gap, FTIR | en_US |
| dc.title | Structural and Optical Properties of ZnO:Al:Ga Co-Doped Nanoparticles: Investigation on the Effects of pH of the Precursor Solution via a Simple Sol-Gel Route | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |
