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Evaluation of kinetic data for crystallization of Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via sol–gel process

  • Original Paper: Characterization methods of sol–gel and hybrid materials
  • Published:
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Abstract

Crystallization kinetics of metal oxides is an exciting subject because it directly relates to the structure and property of the metal oxides. Recently, doping ZnO by transition metals shown advantageous in the modification of the morphology of ZnO in photocatalytic applications as well as other specific applications. In the current research, Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO nano-powders synthesized via the Pechini sol–gel process. Through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), High-Resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) the crystallization kinetics, growth mechanism; morphological as well as the structural characteristics of the Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO dry gels studied, respectively. The XRD and SAED results revealed that the dry gels calcined at 800 °C for 2 h have a wurtzite symmetry. By a non-isothermal DSC technique, the crystallization activation energy for wurtzite Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO calculated ~308.19 kJ/mol. Bulk nucleation was dominant in the wurtzite Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO crystallization; since the crystallization growth mechanism index (m) and morphology parameter (n) were close to 3.0. Wurtzite Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO powders had a semispherical morphology with a primary particle size from 20 to 30 nm using the electron microscopy examination.

Highlights

  • Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO nanoparticles was synthesized with a simple Pechini sol–gel procedure.

  • Kinetic Data for Crystallization was carried out under non-isothermal condition using Johnson–Mehl–Avrami model.

  • Activation energy to crystallize the Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO nanopowder via Pechini sol–gel process was ~308.19 kJ mol−1.

  • crystallization mechanism index (m) and the growth morphology parameter (n) were calculated ~3.0.

  • Electron Microscopy results showed a spherical-like morphology and the particle sizes were roughly between 20 and 30 nm.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The Central Research Laboratory of the Esfarayen University of Technology would be highly appreciated for the assistance provided to conduct this study.

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  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Esfarayen University of Technology, Esfarayen, North Khorasan, Iran

    Morteza Hajizadeh-Oghaz

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  1. Morteza Hajizadeh-Oghaz
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Morteza Hajizadeh-Oghaz as the first and corresponding author developed all of the theoretical formalism, performed the analytic calculations, and performed the numerical simulations. He also contributed to the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Morteza Hajizadeh-Oghaz.

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Hajizadeh-Oghaz, M. Evaluation of kinetic data for crystallization of Mn–Fe co-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via sol–gel process. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 96, 276–286 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05373-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05373-1

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