In-Situ Characterization of doped ZnO nanoparticles

The aim of this proposal is to observe in-situ the nucleation and growth of very small Manganese and Cobalt doped zinc oxide nanoparticles. Doped zinc oxide has enhanced photocatalytic activities compared to pure zinc oxide as the absorption peak shifts into the visible light region. We expect to determine the formation of doped zinc oxide by analyzing the Pair Distribution Function (PDF). Samples will be synthesized during the experiment and the structural evolution will be continuously monitored. We expect to determine the size and shape distribution during growth. The PDF will help to reveal the distribution of the dopant metals throughout the ZnO nanoparticle structure by changes in the local bond length distributions. The main information on the metal distribution will be obtained from complementary single crystal electron diffraction data (3D-PDF) on the final products. We will establish a synthesis route to core/shell doped ZnO nanoparticles.