Effect of N and P codoping on ZnO properties

Nitrogen and Phosphorus co-doped (N+P)- zinc oxide (ZnO) films were RF sputtered on corning glass substrates at 350 °C and comparatively studied with undoped, N-, and P- doped ZnO. X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed that the ZnO structure with a preferred orientation along <002> direction. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed different microstructure for the N+P co-doping, and thus probably confirming the co-existence of both the dopants. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra revealed that the chemical composition in N+P co-doped ZnO are different from that found in undoped, N-, and P- doped ZnO. The atomic ratio of N and P in N+P co-doped ZnO is higher than that in single N or P doped ZnO. One broad ZnO emission peak around 420 nm is observed in photoluminescence spectra. The relative intensity of the strongest peak obtained from co-doped ZnO films is about twice than the P- doped and thrice than the pure and N- doped films.