Abstract

Zn_1-xSr_xO nanoparticles (where x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) were synthesized using the solution combustion method. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the wurtzite phase (P6₃mc), with crystallite sizes ranging from 24 nm to 28 nm. The decrease in lattice parameters with Strontium doping signifies compressive strain and defect mediated lattice contraction, rather than phase segregation. Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy revealed various vibrational modes of wurtzite structured ZnO. Scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy examined the morphology and composition of the materials. Ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy demonstrated that the optical band gap decreased slightly from 3.242 eV to 3.237 eV with increasing Sr content. Photoluminescence analysis revealed ZnO defects, specifically zinc interstitials, zinc vacancies, and oxygen vacancies. Impedance analysis indicates that grain conductivity increases with Sr doping, from 1.03 × 10^–7 to 4.55 × 10^–7 S cm^–1. The 2 mol.% Sr-doped ZnO exhibits the highest dielectric constant at 16.94. Regarding photocatalytic performance, the 2 mol.% Sr-doped ZnO achieved a 93% breakdown of methylene blue when exposed to UV light over a period of 150 minutes. Overall, adding Sr significantly improved the electrical and photocatalytic properties of the ZnO nanoparticles.

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