Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles and Alq3 for Fabrication of Alq3/ZnO Nanocomposites

Abstract

We have studied optical and electrical properties of semiconducting Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle systems and the fluorescent matrix of Tris-(8-Hydroxyquinoline) Aluminium (Alq₃). To understand these properties, we have synthesized ZnO nanoparticles of different particle sizes ranging from ~23 nm to ~110 nm via aqueous sol-gel technique, annealing at high temperature, and prepared Alq₃ compound of planar shaped microparticles. We measured the dielectric properties of Alq₃/ZnO nanocomposites prepared by mixing and grinding in a specific volume fraction ratio at room temperature. Measurement techniques like X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet (UV) Spectroscopy and Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed to determine optical and chemical properties of ZnO and Alq₃ constituents. In addition, Field Effect Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS/XDS) are used to study structural properties, particle morphology, and elemental phase analysis ZnO nanoparticles and Alq₃ powder. The dielectric constant of varying compositions of Alq₃ and ZnO in Alq₃/ZnO nanocomposite systems were determined using an impedance analyzer of frequency range 20 Hz to 25 kHz is further. Overall, this paper intends to report the synthesis, fabrication techniques, and characterization of composite materials derived from ZnO and Alq₃. We also outline some promising applications in organic electronics like organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaic cells (OPVC), etc.