Tuning the magnetic properties of doped ZnS using transition metal doping: A multi-scale computational approach

Abstract

Transition metal (TM)-doped dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS) have emerged as promising materials for spintronic applications such as spin-polarized transport and information storage. However, achieving robust room-temperature ferromagnetism in DMS remains a key challenge. This work undertakes a comprehensive investigation of the effects of Ti- and Cr-doping and (Ti,Cr)-codoping on the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of wurtzite ZnS using first-principles pseudopotential plane-wave self-consistent field calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. The first-principles DFT calculations were performed using the spin-polarized GGA+U approach to account for strong electron–electron interactions. Structural relaxations revealed expanded lattice parameters and bond lengths for the doped systems compared to pure ZnS, attributed to the larger ionic radii of the dopants. Formation energy calculations confirmed the thermodynamic stability of doping. The band structure and density of states analysis demonstrated the half-metallic nature of the doped ZnS systems with 100% spin polarization induced by strong hybridization between the TM-3d and S-3p states. This mediates robust ferromagnetic coupling, with total magnetic moments around 4-8 μB/cell depending on dopant type and concentration. To complement the zero-temperature DFT results, temperature-dependent Monte Carlo simulations using the single-spin flip Heat Bath algorithm were implemented. The modeling of magnetization, susceptibility, specific heat, and hysteresis loops enabled extracting Curie temperatures up to 427.6 K for 12.5% Cr-doped ZnS. The synergistic combination of first-principles DFT and Monte Carlo computational techniques provides significant insights into tailoring the magnetic properties of TM-doped ZnS dilute magnetic semiconductors. The tunability of structural, electronic, and magnetic characteristics through control of dopant selection and concentration demonstrates the promising potential of transition metal-doped ZnS for spintronic devices operable at room-temperature.