Control of ferromagnetism in Fe-doped In 2O 3 by carbothermal annealing

Abstract

Fe-doped In 2O 3 powders were prepared using the sol–gel method. Solubility of Fe ions in the In 2O 3 host compound reached up to 50%. Lattice constant decreased linearly as Fe doping concentration increased, indicating that Fe ions were incorporated into the host lattice and occupied the In sites. Ferromagnetism could be obtained from the samples with carbothermal annealing. The dependence of ferromagnetism on the carbon dosage was observed. The greater the carbon dosage, the higher the concentration of oxygen vacancies (V o) created, and the more robust the ferromagnetism.