Study of aluminum-doped zinc oxide powders using x-ray diffraction

POSTER

Abstract

Zinc oxide has been proposed as a material for next generation gas sensors. In this study, aluminum-doped zinc oxide powders were synthesized via sol gel chemistry using zinc acetate, aluminum tri-tert butoxide and aluminum acetylacetonate precursors. The aluminum-to-zinc ratio in the zinc oxide powders ranged from 0-5\%. The powders were calcined at temperatures from 300$^{\circ}$C to 700$^{\circ}$C, and their mean crystallite sizes were analyzed using x-ray diffraction. A maximum in mean crystallite size was observed at $\approx$0.25-1\% aluminum, the same composition region for which other researchers have reported a maximum in electrical conductivity. It is also found that adding high amounts ($>$2\% Al:Zn ratio) of aluminum to the zinc oxide can retard sintering at higher temperatures.

Authors

  • James C. Gallagher

  • James B. Miller

  • Kurt Wiesenfeld

    Miami University, Summa Health System, Akron, John Carroll University, Prof, Dr, BfS, Germany, Florida State University, Monmouth College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Kenyon College, University of Cincinnati, Brookhaven National Lab, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Dept. of Chermical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Cleveland State University, The Neurological Institute, Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Un. of Stockholm, The University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University, West Virginia University, Kalamazoo College and Editor, American Journal of Physics, Denison University, University of Southern Florida, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat, BfS (Germany), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Kansas State University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Purdue University, Saint Jospeh's College, University of Washington, Indiana University, University of Potsdam, Georgia Institute of Technology