Physical structure and optical properties of Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by co-precipitation

The structural and optical properties of cobalt-doped zinc oxide (Co-doped ZnO) nanoparticles have been investigated. The nanopowder with Co concentrations up to 5 at% was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The physical structure and the chemical states of the Co-doped ZnO were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–Visible reflectance and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy. The results show that cobalt ions predominantly occupy Zn²⁺ sites in the wurtzite crystal lattice and possess a valence state of 2+. CL analysis revealed that the incorporation of Co²⁺ creates a new emission band at 1.85 eV, but quenched the near-band-edge luminescence