Effect of (Sn, Ni) co-doping on structural, optical and magnetic properties of ZnS Nanoparticles and thin films

Abstract

Nanoparticles of Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) co-doped with Tin (Sn) and Nickel (Ni) have been synthesized using solid state reaction and the nanoparticles were then deposited on to glass substates by physical vapour deposition technique. The structural, morphological, optical and magnetic properties of the prepared nanoparticles and thin films were analyzed in detail. Single phase cubic structure was observed for both nanoparticles and thin films. The optical band gap became narrower for co-doped nanoparticles compared to the individually doped nanoparticles. The co-doped thin films showed a maximum transmittance (93%) in the visible region. The co-doped nanoparticles exhibited soft ferromagnetic nature at room temperature, while room temperature paramagnetic nature was observed in co-doped thin films.