Triangular CdS nanostructure: effect of Mn doping on photoluminescence, electron spin resonance, and magneto-optical properties

Abstract

In this paper, we report synthesis and study of magneto-optic Faraday effect for dilute magnetic semiconductor nanostructure. The colloidal CdS nanocrystals were prepared via hot injection method and successfully doped with Mn2+ cations. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Systematic studies on effect of Mn2+ doping on photoluminescence, electron spin resonance, and magneto-optical properties are carried out. UV–Vis spectral analysis confirms blue shift in bandgap of CdS nanoparticles due to quantum confinement effect. The X-ray diffraction study confirms hexagonal wurtzite phase formation of CdS nanoparticles without any impurity phases. TEM analysis confirms uniform particle size, having particle size distribution around 5 nm. As-synthesized undoped CdS shows triangular-shaped nanocrystals with hexagonal structure; however, triangular shape of CdS nanoparticles is not conserved after Mn2+ doping. The photoluminescence characteristic spectra of Mn2+-doped CdS nanocrystals showed emission band at 660 nm and its intensity was found to increase with increasing Mn2+ concentration. Electron spin resonance signal, with six-line hyperfine structure splitting, confirmed doping of Mn2+ ions in CdS lattice. Magneto-optic measurements showed linear variation of Faraday rotation with respect to applied magnetic field, indicating paramagnetic behavior of Mn-doped CdS. The highest Verdet constant 24.81 deg/T cm was observed for 2% Mn-doped CdS nanocrystals, which further decreases with increasing Mn2+ concentration.