Dielectric and magnetic properties of (Zn, Co) co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles**Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant Nos. 2015CB921004, 2012CB821404, and 2011CBA00103) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11374261 and 11204059).

Abstract

Polycrystalline samples of (Zn, Co) co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were prepared using a co-precipitation method. The influence of (Zn, Co) co-doping on electrical, dielectric, and magnetic properties was studied. All of the (Zn, Co) co-doped SnO2 powder samples have the same tetragonal structure of SnO2. A decrease in the dielectric constant was observed with the increase of Co doping concentration. It was found that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss values decrease, while AC electrical conductivity increases with doping concentration and frequency. Magnetization measurements revealed that the Co doping SnO2 samples exhibits room temperature ferromagnetism. Our results illustrate that (Zn, Co) co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles have an excellent dielectric, magnetic properties, and high electrical conductivity than those reported previously, indicating that these (Zn, Co) co-doped SnO2 materials can be used in the field of the ultrahigh dielectric material, high frequency device, and spintronics.