Synthesis and structural, electrical, optical properties of Lu3+-doped ZnO nanorods

Undoped and Lu3+ (in the range of 0-5 mol %) doped ZnO nanorods were investigated in this study. The obtained ZnO samples were analyzed crystallographically by the x-ray diffraction (XRD) method. From the XRD patterns, it was determined that each structure was crystallized in the (002) direction and the unit cell parameters a and c increased with the doping amount of Lu3+. The electrical conductivities of the ZnO samples were measured by a four-point dc system in the range of room temperature to 300 degrees C under air atmospher and vacuum condition. It was and observed that the electrical conductivity measured under vacuum condition was higher than the measured in air atmosphere, and, generally, the electrical conductivity slightly increased with the amount of Lu3+. In addition, it was determined the optical tranmittance increased via the doping amount of Lu3+. Also, photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of the ZnO samples were measured.