The structural and mechanical behaviours of Boron-doped ZnO nanostructures*

Undoped and Boron (B)-doped Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanopowders were synthesized by Hydrothermal method. The structural and mechanical behaviours of B doped ZnO (Zn$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$B$_{\mathrm{x}}$ O, x$=$0, 0.05, 0.07, 0.11) were systematically examined. The crystal structure, phases, sizes and microstructure of Zn1-xBx O powder samples characterized by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Microhardness values of all B doped ZnO powders were measured with different loads (0.245, 0.490, 0.980, 1.960 ve 2.940 N) using a digital Vickers microhardness tester. The experimental microhardness data were used to determine elastic modules, yield strength, and fracture toughness value of the samples. Additionally, the experimental results were analyzed using the various theoretical models namely, Kick's Law, Elastic/Plastic Deformation (EPD) models, Proportional Specimen Resistance (PSR), and Hays-Kendall (HK) approach. The Vickers microhardness measurements revealed that hardness of Zn$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$B$_{\mathrm{x}}$ O powder samples increased with B doping.