Controlled synthesis of Al1−xZnxN with blue luminescence and ferromagnetism properties at room temperature

Abstract

Al1−xZnxN polycrystalline powders were synthesized by a modified solid state reaction method. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectra, photoluminescence (PL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID, MPMS-7) magnetometer. The characterized results showed that Zn atoms were doped into the AlN lattice. The obtained Al1−xZnxN showed high crystalline quality. A broad blue band centered at about 450 nm was observed in Zn-doped AlN. Room temperature ferromagnetism was also observed in the doped samples. The substitution of 3-d transition metal of Al in AlN provides a new opportunity to design optical and magnetic materials with good performance.