Synthesis and Structural Investigation of Erbium-Doped ZnWO4 Nanocrystals

In this study, ZnWO4:Er3+ nanocrystals were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method. The structural properties of the prepared powders were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The synthesized nanopowders exhibited a monoclinic wolframite crystal structure. Using the Williamson-Hall method, the lattice strain and crystal size of the synthesized powders were estimated. ZWO nanopowders with a 1 at.% concentration of Er dopant showed the lowest strain and crystallite size. FE-SEM results revealed that the prepared nanoparticles have a spherical morphology with an average size of 140 nm. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of Zn-O, Zn-O-W, and W-O vibrations in the synthesized structure. The transmittance percentage in the doped sample changed concerning the pure one, indicating that interstitial Er3+ ions affected the number of W-O, Zn-O, and Zn-O-W bonds. The facilely synthesized Erbium-doped ZnWO4 nanocrystals showed promise for a range of practical applications.