In this study, a layered nanoporous structure of Cr-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal and post-annealing technique. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet (UV)−visible spectroscopy techniques. The XRD peak shift provides additional evidence of the incorporation of the dopant. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the porous morphology. From high-resolution transmission electron microscopy pictures, the pore size and crystallographic layouts were calculated. UV−vis spectra demonstrated that the absorbance improved, and a reduction in band gap was observed with an increment in dopant concentration. The vibrational modes of the produced ZnO sample were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the absence of other contaminants. Upon addition of the dopant, the phonon peaks showed asymmetric broadening caused by the interaction of discrete states with continuum states. Due to the strong contact, the asymmetry got worse as the dopant concentration increased. Finally, current−voltage (I−V) measurements indicated a great enhancement after Cr doping in UV photoresponse. The UV light detection phenomenon can be ascribed to the trapping and detrapping of electrons by Cr-related defects.
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