Sintering Effect on Structural, Optical and Unusual Magnetic Behaviour in Zn0.95Co0.05O-Based DMS Materials

Abstract

In this paper, the sinteringinduced unusual optical and magnetic behaviour in Co2+ doped ZnO nanoparticles is reported. Codoped ZnO (Zn0.95Co0.05O) powders were prepared using a co-precipitation method and sintered at three different temperatures (350, 500 and 650 °C). The single crystalline phase and Co2+ ion incorporation in the ZnO host were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The surface morphology of prepared samples was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental analyses were performed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The UV–DRS spectrum was expressing the absorbing nature and confirms the Co2+ ion incorporation in the ZnO host. Photoluminescence spectrum reveals emission properties and the presence of lattice defects in the prepared samples. Further, the Raman studies also clearly indicate the structural disorder and dislocations present in these samples. Room-temperature magnetic properties are studied using vibrating sample magnetometers, and all the three samples exhibit ferromagnetic nature.