Correlation Between Saturation Magnetization, Bandgap, and Lattice Volume of Transition Metal (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) Doped Zn_1−xM_xO Nanoparticles

Joshua Anghel, Boise State University
Aaron Thurber, Boise State University
Dmitri A. Tenne, Boise State University
Charles B. Hanna, Boise State University
Alex Punnoose, Boise State University

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Journal of Applied Physics, Volume 107, Issue 9, 09E314-1 - 09E314-3.  DOI: 10.1063/1.3360189

Abstract

This work reports on transition metal doped ZnO nanoparticles and compares the effects doping with different transition metal ions has on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties. Zn_1−xM_xO (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) nanoparticles were prepared by a chemical process for x = 0.02 and 0.05 in powder form. The powders where characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), spectrophotometry, and magnetometry. The Zn_1−xM_xO samples showed a strong correlation between changes in the lattice parameters, bandgap energy, and the ferromagnetic saturation magnetization. Unit cell volume and bandgap, determined from XRD and spectrophotometry respectively, were maximized with Fe doping and decreased as the atomic number of the dopant moved away from Fe. Bandgap was generally lower at x = 0.05 than x = 0.02 for all dopants. The saturation magnetization reached a maximum of 6.38 memu/g for Zn_0.95Fe_0.05O.