Abstract

In this research work we synthesized Zinc oxide [ZnO] Nanostructures using plant extracts. Zinc oxide [ZnO] nanostructures were synthesized by solution method and deposited by spin- coating technique. The samples were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).The maximum absorption peaks occurred at 235.0 nm, 250.0 nm, 270.0 nm, and 300.0 nm respectively but lower when compared with the bulk size that occurred at 350.0 nm and in the visible spectrum of the wave length band. Band gap energy of zinc oxide nanostructures at 500.0 rpm was 3.8 eV. FTIR spectrum was recorded in the range of 4000.0 cm-1 to 500.0 cm- 1. FTIR Observation shows that the bands of ZnO Nanostructures occur at 3903.4 cm- 1, 2802.2 cm-1, 2195.9 cm-1, 1963.2 cm-1, 1834.5 cm-1, 1194.7 cm-1, and 682.6 cm-1. The synthesis ZnO Nanostructures FTIR results how ZnO functional group was found at low wave number. The result can be used for performance enhancement of solar cell and to develop guide line for fabrication of organic solar cells.

Keywords: Zinc Oxide Nanostructures; Optical Properties; Plant Extract

PACS: 68.55.-a; 68.55.Jk; 81.10.Dn; 81.15. Rs; 81.15.-z

Abbreviations: ZnO: Zinc Oxide; TCOs: Transparent Conducting Oxides; NaOH: Sodium Hydroxide; FTIR: Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy; RPM: Revolution per Minute; eV: Electron Volts

Introduction

The branch of technology that studies different materials at a nanometric scale is referred to as nanotechnology and it is also defined as science of production, manipulation and use of materials at subatomic level that find sits application in materials science, engineering, and electronics. Recently, transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) have been widely studied. ZnO thin solid films are one of the most prominent transparent conducting oxides for the fabrication of the next generation advanced applications such as window layer in heterojunction solar cells ZnO is an inorganic material with high electron mobility and easy to prepare as electron acceptor to dissociate excitons formed in conjugated polymer as the active material of solar cells. Zinc oxide is an inorganic material that has found it suspension many applications and can be prepared as a nanostructure [1-10]. Zinc oxide nanostructures have been widely used as donor material due to its superior optoelectronic properties and it is relatively easy to be synthesized by using the following methods: ultrasound, anodization, co-precipitation, solgel method, chemical vapor deposition and mechano-chemical activation thermal synthesis.

Ramesh, et al., in their research reported that the synthesized ZnO nanostructures are moderately stable, roughly spherical with maximum particles in size range with in nm in diameter [10]. Renata Dobrucka and Jolanta Dugaszewka, et al. reported the synthesis of ZnO nanostructures using Trifoliumpratense flower extract characterized using different methods to study the efficacy of the synthesized ZnO nanostructures against clinical and standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and standard strain of Escherichia coli [11]. Geetha, et al., in their article Green medicated synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanostructures using Euphorbia Jatropa latex as reducing agented ported that latex plant played an important role in controlling the size of the particle and its morphology [12]. Fatimah, et al., reported that Mimosa pudica and coffee powder extracts materials have crystallite size of around 27.1 Å and 46.9 Å and that photo-catalytic activity (photo-catalytic activities depend highly on experimental conditions such as the amount of catalyst, light intensity, lighting area, reactor volume, type of reactor, temperature, and pressure.

Intrinsic properties of semiconductor photo-catalysts, such as the particle/crystallite size, phase composition, surface area, surface hydroxyls, lattice defects and type and level of dopants (metals and nonmetals), morphology (powder, nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorod, and hollow nanospheres), structural features, and photo-physical properties, influence their performance) of ZnO nanostructures is related to the crystallite size as well as band gap energy values [13]. Matinise, et al., reported that ZnO nanostructures have a god electrochemical activity and are consider as a potential electrocatalyst [14]. Zinc oxide nanostructures have been widely developed as donor material due to its superior optoelectronic properties and it is relatively easy to be synthesized by using solution methods. Taufiq, et al., used a sol-gel method to synthesis and study ZnO Nanostructures [15]. Fakhari, et al., carried out green synthesis of nanostructures by biological systems they reported peaks absorption around 350.0 nm due to large excitation binding energy at room temperature≈23.0 °C [16].

ZnO nanostructures were blended with apoly-3-hexylthiophene as active material for high performance solar cell [17]. Patidar, et al., blended ZnO Nanostructures with Poly(3- hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) [(C10H14S)n] and an improvement was reported inter chains and intra chains ordering when compared to pure Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) [(C10H14S)n] [18]. Power conversion efficiency of solar cells also improved. The objectives of this research are to understand the synthesis of Zinc oxide Nanostructures, to explore the behavior of zinc a nanostructure thin solid films in certain condition and characterizes ZnO Nanostructures thin solid films. Also, to investigated the optical properties by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy and chemical structure by means of FTIR spectroscopy for performance enhancement for solar cells.

Experimental Details

Laboratory Instruments and Materials

The materials used were bashful leaves (Mimosa Pudica). The leaves are bipinnately compound, with one or two pinnae pairs, and 10-26 leaflets per pinna. The petioles are also prickly. Pedunculate (stalked) pale pink or purple flower heads arise from the leaf axils in midsummer with more and more flowers as the plant gets older. The globose to ovoid heads are 8.0-10.0 mm (0.3-0.4 in) in diameter (excluding the stamens). On close examination, it is seen that the floret petals are red in their upper part and the filaments are pink to lavender. Pollens are circular with approximately 8.0 μm diameter. Zinc acetate dihydrate, ([Zn(CH3COO)2•2H2O], 99.9 %, from Sigma- Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México), Ethanol ([C2H5OH], 99.9 %, from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México), Sodium hydroxide ([NaOH], 99.9 %, from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México), Beakers glass (A beaker is generally a cylindrical container with a flat bottom, from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México), Petri dish (Petri dishes were traditionally meant to be reusable and made of glass; often of heat-resistant borosilicate glass for proper sterilization at 120.0-160.0 °C, from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México), Filter papers (Filter paper is a semi-permeable paper barrier placed perpendicular to a liquid or air flow.

It is used to separate fine substances from liquids or air. It is used in science labs to remove solids from liquids. This can be used to remove sand from water, (from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México). For this purpose, the oven mentioned below was used LCC/LCD Clean Process Lab Oven Despatch’s LCC and LCD clean process laboratory ovens have forced airflow recirculation that is 100.0 % HEPA filtered and can maintain ISO Class 5 (Class 100) operation throughout the process cycle. These lab ovens can be stacked up to three high for added capacity in small labs. Nitrogen atmosphere is available, and the maximum temperature is 350.0 ℃ (~662.0 ℉), Spatula (from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México) is usually used to scrape within the contours of a mixing bowl or to level off the top of a dry mixing cup. It is a tool with two flat edges on a flexible blade, and finally A magnetic stirrer or magnetic mixer (IKA C-Mag HS 7, People’s Republic of China) is a laboratory device that employs a rotating magnetic field to cause a stir bar (or flea) immersed in a liquid to spin very quickly, thus stirring it. The rotating field may be created either by a rotating magnet or a set of stationary electromagnets, placed beneath the vessel with the liquid. These were some of the instruments used to carry out the research scientist work.

Methodology to Perform the Experiment

All experimental procedures of preparation of the thin solid films were performed in a glove box (Plas LabsTM Glove Box 855 - ACB Anaerobic Chamber Manually) control your atmosphere when working with oxygen-sensitive materials in this glove box. Plas LabsTM Glove Box 855 - ACB Chamber uses a catalyst heater to reduce any trace entering oxygen to water vapor - GLOVE BOX PLAS LABS 855 - ACB/EXP ANAEROBIC CHAMBER, manually controlled atmosphere multi user bright is a sealed container that is designed to allow one to manipulate objects where a separate atmosphere is desired. Built into the sides of the glove box are gloves arranged in such a way that the user can place their hands into the gloves and perform tasks inside the box without breaking containment. Part or the entire box is usually transparent to allow the user to see what is being manipulated.

Substrates Cleaning Procedure

The cleaning procedure for soda-lime glass substrates is explained in the following lines:

i) A five minute ultrasonic bath in a trichloroethylene ([C2HCl3], 99.9 %, from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México) was implemented to degrease the substrates, followed by

ii) A five minute bath in a methyl alcohol ([CH3OH],99.9 %, from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México);

iii) A five minute ultrasonic bath in acetone ([CH3COCH3],99.9 %, from Sigma-Aldrich Química, S.L. Toluca, México), and afterward

iv) The substrates were subsequently dried by blowing them with a pure and dry nitrogen ([N2] 99.9 % from PRAXAIR, México) gas flow.

Technique of Preparation of Plant Extract

Thirty grams (30.0 g) of Ewe patanmon (Yoruba name), bashful leaves (Mimosa Pudica), were collected and washed thoroughly with deionized water [H2O] (Resistivity of water produced at ~ 23.0 °C, > 5.0 MΩ•cm, ZLXL62080 Milli-Q, from Merck Milipore, México) to remove dirt and the residual moisture. The leaves were grinded in to powder after dry in gin ambient temperature ~ 23.0 °C, 0.4 g of the powder sample was added into 40.0 ml of ethanol solvent and stirred for 24.0 h without heat using magnetic stirrer. The solution was filtered. The extract was stored and kept away from ray of the sun.

Preparation of Aqueous Zinc Acetate Dihydrate Solution

Zero point two grams were used of [Zn(CH3COO)2•2H2O] was dissolved in 20.0 ml of [C2H5OH] at room temperature ~ 23.0 °C. The solution was heated at 900.0 °C for 40.0 min using magnetic stirrer. The solution was left to cool under ambient temperature ~ 23.0 °C.

Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures

In this procedure 0.5 M aqueous solutions of zinc acetate dihydrate is mixed with10 ml of plant extract which was stirred without heat for 4.0 h using magnetic stirrer for homogenous mixture. Sodium hydroxide solution was then prepared by mixing it with 0.8 M aqueous use ethanol and stirred without heat for 4.0 h. The two solutions were added together and stirred for 6.0 h for homogenous mixture and chemical reaction. Zinc Hydroxide [Zn(OH)2] is an inorganic chemical compound. It also occurs naturally as three rare minerals: wülfingite (orthorhombic), ashoverite and sweetie (both tetragonal) precipitate that settled at the bottom of thesealed beaker was obtained by removal of excess mother liquor. The precipitate [Zn(OH)2] by products was removed by washing with deionized water and acetone. Heating process or baking was carried out at the temperature of 300.0 °C for 45 min to evaporate the solvent in a Laboratory Chamber Furnace-ELF (Carbolite Gero USA Verder Scientific, Inc.) and to convert [Zn(OH)2] into zinc oxidenanostructures.

Analysis of the Samples

The materials were analyzed using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer (UV-2700, Shimadzu, Japan) is a method of molecular absorption spectroscopy with ultraviolet and visible radiation, simple and inexpensive technique to determine the concentration of an analyte in solution. It can be used for relatively simple analysis, where the type of compound to be analyzed (‘analyte’) is known, to do a quantitative analysis to determine the concentration of the analytes and Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) (FTIR NicoletTM iSTM 50 U. S. A.) is an analytical technique used to identify organic (and in some cases inorganic) materials. This technique measures the absorption of infrared radiation by the sample material versus wavelength. The infrared absorption bands identify molecular components and structures.

Deposition of Synthesized of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures

Zinc oxide solution was prepared and deposited onsoda-lime glass substrate at different spin coating speed using spinning coating (model The Process Station Etching, SPS-Europe B.V., Netherlands). Spin coating is one of the most common techniques for applying thin films to substrates (Figure 1). It is used in a wide variety of industries and technology sectors. The advantage of spin coating is its ability to quickly and easily produce very uniform thin solid films, ranging from a few nanometers to a few microns in thickness. The use of spin coating in organic electronics and nanotechnology is widespread and has built upon many of the techniques used in other semiconductor industries. It also has some differences due to the relatively thin solid films and high uniformity required for effective device preparation, as well as the need for self-assembly and organization to occur during the casting process. Spin coating speeds of 3000 revolution per minute (rpm), 2000 rpm, 1500 rpm, 1000 rpm, 750 rpm, and 500 rpm were considered respectively for 30 seconds corresponding to thin solid film layer thick nesses of 32 nm, 35 nm, 87 nm,115 nm,146 nm, and 177 nm respectively. Depending on the speed of rotation (rpm) of the spin coater, the desirable thickness of the thin solid films was obtained. It is important to note that the thickness of the thin solid film being spin coated depend on both time and speed of rotating stub as specified by equipment manufacturer.Another method of determination of thickness is by using Equation (1) in the absence of surface profile meter.

where t is the thickness of the thin solid films (nm), M1 is the mass of the sample before deposition, M2 is the mass of the sample after deposition, and A is the Area covered by the thin solid films and D is the Density of the thin solid films.

Zinc Oxide Nanostructures Characterization

Characterizations of [ZnO] nanostructures were performed to investigate the chemical and optical character of the samples. UV-Vis spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for characterization of the samples UV-Vis analysis and absorption properties was obtained using UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The wave length spectrum for which a material absorbs light and produces photo current the l.0 ps determine that her the material is capable of converting the available light illuminating it in to electric energy. Absorption was chosen as the optimization variable because the choice of layer thickness (t) is critical for optimization of the efficiency. UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to record the transmittance and reflectance in percentage (%). The absorbance was calculated using the Equation (2):

where A is the absorbance, %T is the percentage transmittance. Band gap energy of ZnO nanostructures was calculated (3) [19-21].

The following relational expression proposed by Tauc, Davis, and Mott is used:

The value of the exponent n denotes the nature of the sample transition. For direct allowed transition , direct forbidden transition , indirect allowed transition n = 2 , indirect forbidden transition n = 3. For our case , therefore equation (3) would be:

where (hʋ) is the photon energy the values were determined from the inverse relationship between energy in electron volts [eV] and wavelength of the UV-visible spectrum using the equation (5).

where E is the photon energy, h is planck’s constant (6.626× 10-3 J•s), c is the speed of light (3.0×108 m/s), λ is wavelength q is the electron charge (1.6×10-19 C), α is the absorption coefficient, Eg is the optical band gap and A is the proportional constant.

The energy band gap was obtained from straight line plot of (αhʋ)2 vs. hʋ by extrapolating of the line to baseline. The absorption coefficient (α) of thin film was calculated using the equation (6) [22].

FTIR spectrum of ZnO nanostructures was obtained from sample deposited at 500 rpm corresponding to 120 nm thickness.

Results and Discussion

UV-Vis Spectra Analysis of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures

Figure 2 shows the transmittance of ZnO nanostructures deposited at different spin coating speed. The solution at 500 rpm among the deposition at different spin coating speed has the highest absorption value and least transmittance after optical properties characterization in the visible spectrum of wave length band (400 nm to 900 nm) as shown in Figure 3. It can be seen in Figure 4 that the absorption spectrum of the ZnO nanostructures that were made to 500 rpm lies at 230 nm to 300 nm in UV spectrum of wavelength band in agreement as reported by Gupta, et al., [23]. The maximum absorption peaks occurred at 230 nm, 250 nm, 270 nm, and 300 nm respectively but lower when compared with the bulk size that occurred at 350 nm and in the visible spectrum of the wavelength band. Figure 5 shows band gap energy graph of zinc oxide nanostructures at 500 rpm, the obtained band gap energy was 3.8 eV which is similar to the research study reported by Taufiq, et al., and Preethi, et al., [15,24]. This shows thickness of plant extract and ZnO nanostructures composites has effect on photon energy absorption.

Fourier Transforms Infra-red Spectroscopy Analysis of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures

FTIR spectrum of ZnO nanostructures was obtained from sample deposited at 500 rpm corresponding to 120 nm thickness. Figure 6 shows the infrared spectrum of the sample of ZnO nanostructures that were made to deposited on soda-lime glass substrate at 500 rpm. ZnO nanostructures FTIR spectrum was recorded in the range of 4000 cm-1 to 500 cm-1. Observation shows that the bands of ZnO Nanostructures occurs at 3903.4 cm-1, 3626.4 cm-1, 2802.2 cm-1, 2395.4 cm-1, 2195.9 cm-1, 1963.2 cm-1, 1905.0 cm- 1, 1834.5 cm-1, 1643.0 cm-1, 1494.9 cm-1, 1288.7 cm-1, 1194.7 cm-1, 969.8 cm-1, 882.6 cm-1, 783.4 cm-1 and 682.6 cm-1. The synthesis ZnO nanostructures FTIR result shows Zn-O functional group was found at low wave number as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 which is similar to results reported [7,11,15,25-32] (Table 1).

Research Highlights

a) Zinc oxide nanostructures using plant extracts.

b) Zinc oxide nanostructures were synthesized by solution method and deposited by spin coating technique.

c) Zinc oxide nanostructures thin solid films were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy.

Conclusion

The research of this scientific work focuses on the ZnO nanostructures thin solid films based on UV-Vis and FTIR spectrums analysis. UV-Vis spectrum analysis shows ZnO nanostructures thin solid film has arrange of absorption that occurs from 235 nm to 300 nm and 350 nm upward invisible spectrums. The synthesis ZnO nanostructures FTIR result shows Zn-O functional group was found at low wave number similar to results reported [7,11,15,33-40]. The main result of this research work can be used to develop guideline for fabrication of solar cells for performance enhancement. It should be noted that future research will be done in order to improve, further refine and understand the full performance of this material.

Acknowledgement

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, through Project no. 20200386.

Conflict of Interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Abstract

In this research work we synthesized Zinc oxide [ZnO] Nanostructures using plant extracts. Zinc oxide [ZnO] nanostructures were synthesized by solution method and deposited by spin- coating technique. The samples were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).The maximum absorption peaks occurred at 235.0 nm, 250.0 nm, 270.0 nm, and 300.0 nm respectively but lower when compared with the bulk size that occurred at 350.0 nm and in the visible spectrum of the wave length band. Band gap energy of zinc oxide nanostructures at 500.0 rpm was 3.8 eV. FTIR spectrum was recorded in the range of 4000.0 cm-1 to 500.0 cm- 1. FTIR Observation shows that the bands of ZnO Nanostructures occur at 3903.4 cm- 1, 2802.2 cm-1, 2195.9 cm-1, 1963.2 cm-1, 1834.5 cm-1, 1194.7 cm-1, and 682.6 cm-1. The synthesis ZnO Nanostructures FTIR results how ZnO functional group was found at low wave number. The result can be used for performance enhancement of solar cell and to develop guide line for fabrication of organic solar cells.

Keywords: Zinc Oxide Nanostructures; Optical Properties; Plant Extract

PACS: 68.55.-a; 68.55.Jk; 81.10.Dn; 81.15. Rs; 81.15.-z

Abbreviations: ZnO: Zinc Oxide; TCOs: Transparent Conducting Oxides; NaOH: Sodium Hydroxide; FTIR: Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy; RPM: Revolution per Minute; eV: Electron Volts