Physical properties of ZnO nanoparticles doped with Mn and Fe

Abstract

This study reports the effect of magnetic ions doping on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of ZnO nanoparticles. Samples of Zn0.97-xMn0.03FexO, 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1 wt. %, nanoparticles are synthesized by Co-Precipitation route. The synthesized samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and UV spectroscopy. XRD results reveal the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO with the formation of secondary phase in the Fe-doped samples corresponding to Zinc Iron Oxide. The crystallite size is calculated by X-ray peak broadening using Debye-Scherer's formula, and the results are in good agreement with TEM. The FTIR reveals two major peaks that are shifted toward a lower value when the concentration of Fe ions becomes higher than that of Mn ions. The UV results indicate a shift in the band-gap energy toward lower value upon increasing Fe-content. The study of magnetization hysteresis loop measurements infers that the samples of Zn0.97-xMn0.03Fe x O show a well-defined hysteresis loop, reflecting the paramagnetic behavior.