Structure and magnetic properties Zn0.96Cu0.01Ni0.03O nanoparticles

Abstract

Zn0.96Cu0.01Ni0.03O nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel technique and annealed under wide temperature range (450, 500, 550, 600, 700, 800, and 900 0C). To figure out the possible structural phases X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) was used. The lattice parameters were calculated by Rietveld analysis and correlated by annealing temperatures. For the synthesized nanoparticles, the optimum annealing temperatures were achieved at 450, 500, and 550 °C and further annealing temperature increment gave rise to secondary NiO peaks. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images show random ball-shaped particle distribution. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed only the peaks belong to the composition. Magnetic measurements were performed using Quantum Design Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (QDVSM) tool for Zn0.96Cu0.01Ni0.03O nanosystems. From the DC magnetic field dependent magnetization curves, clear paramagnetic behavior was revealed for all Cu-Ni co-doped ZnO nanoparticles.