Co doped ZnO semiconductor materials: Structural, morphological and magnetic properties

Abstract

Structural, morphological and magnetic properties of Zn1-xCoxO (x = 0. 01 and 0. 03) powdered materials are presented. XRD studies reveal a wurtzite-type structure, while the formation of a Co3O4 secondary phase was evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. A ferromagnetic behaviour with low Curie temperature was evidenced by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) investigation. We suggest that the origin of the ferromagnetism in Zn1-xCoxO powders is probably due to the presence of the mixed cation valence of Co ions via a double-exchange mechanism rather than the real doping effect. © 2011 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.