Sol-gel synthesis of Ti-Doped ZnO nanoparticles: Contribution of Solvent effects to structural, mechanical, and magnetic properties


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Turkmen E., ADA H., Tokeser E. A., SAFRAN S., Öztürk Ö.

Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing, cilt.132, sa.6, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 132 Sayı: 6
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00339-026-09759-w
  • Dergi Adı: Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: 2-Propanol, Magnetic Behavior, MEA, Sol-gel, Ti-doped ZnO
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this study, Zn₁₋ₓTiₓO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel method, and the effects of monoethanolamine (MEA) and 2-propanol solvents on structural, magnetic, and mechanical properties were comparatively investigated. The originality of the study lies in its systematic and multifaceted analysis of solvent-induced effects. XRD analyses confirmed that the wurtzite structure of ZnO was preserved; however, peak shifts and reductions in crystallite size occurred due to both solvent and doping effects. SEM images revealed that MEA led to more compact and homogeneous structures, while 2-propanol resulted in more porous and irregular morphologies, particularly at lower doping levels. Magnetic measurements showed the development of ferromagnetic behavior. Mechanical tests indicated that samples synthesized with MEA reached a maximum microhardness of 0.556 GPa, whereas 2-propanol-based samples exhibited a fracture toughness as high as 1.89 MPa.m1/2. Microhardness data were analyzed using Meyer’s law, the PSR, EPD and IIC models, HK approach; RISE behavior was dominant in the MEA system, while ISE behavior prevailed in the undoped and Ti5 samples. These results demonstrate that the ZnO/Ti nanostructures can be optimized for targeted properties through solvent-controlled design, positioning them as strategic material candidates for high-performance applications in sensors, optoelectronic systems, and surface engineering.