The Physics Society of Iran Iranian Journal of Physics Research 1682-6957 25 3 2025 12 22 Silver-doped ZnO nanorods (Ag-ZNRs): preparation and characterization Silver-doped ZnO nanorods (Ag-ZNRs): preparation and characterization 131 137 3634 10.47176/ijpr.25.1.22025 FA Sarah Kamel Khadem Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Al-Qadisiyah 58002, Iraq Araa Mebdir Holi Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Al-Qadisiyah 58002, Iraq Journal Article 2024 12 18 In this study, ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) were synthesized via the hydrothermal method and doped with silver (Ag). The structural, morphological, and optical properties of pure and Ag-doped ZNRs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. XRD confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the Ag-doped ZNRs, while FE-SEM revealed high-aspect-ratio nanorod morphology. UV-Vis analysis showed a reduction in the direct band gap with increasing Ag doping concentration. PL spectra exhibited enhanced emission intensity upon Ag doping, suggesting modified recombination dynamics, potentially due to suppressed non-radiative pathways or increased radiative transitions. These findings indicate that Ag-doped ZNRs hold promise for optoelectronic applications, including light-emitting devices. In this study, ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) were synthesized via the hydrothermal method and doped with silver (Ag). The structural, morphological, and optical properties of pure and Ag-doped ZNRs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. XRD confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the Ag-doped ZNRs, while FE-SEM revealed high-aspect-ratio nanorod morphology. UV-Vis analysis showed a reduction in the direct band gap with increasing Ag doping concentration. PL spectra exhibited enhanced emission intensity upon Ag doping, suggesting modified recombination dynamics, potentially due to suppressed non-radiative pathways or increased radiative transitions. These findings indicate that Ag-doped ZNRs hold promise for optoelectronic applications, including light-emitting devices. https://ijpr.iut.ac.ir/article_3634_e2eabaf96372e20a9e3d4b5f83723a61.pdf