INFLUENCE OF Co DOPING ON STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF CuO NANOPARTICLES

Amongst the mono oxides of 3d transition elements series, copper oxide (CuO) is unique as it has a square planar coordination of copper by oxygen in the monoclinic structure. Suitable dopants are often mixed with the CuO matrix, which modify its microstructure resulting in a change in its structural, optical and magnetic properties. The structural and optical properties of CuO nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel technique have been investigated. The doping concentration affects the luminescence and morphological properties of CuO nanoparticles. For Co doped samples the particle size decreases continuously and monoclinic symmetry of the system gets distorted with increase in dopant concentration. The bandgap undergoes a red shift. The broadening of IR bands increases with increase in dopant concentration.