Cu-doping effect on structure and magnetic properties of Fe-doped ZnO powders

▶ Both Fe-doped and Cu, Fe co-doped ZnO DMS powder samples were successfully synthesized by sol-gel method. ▶ We have introduced the “decomposing citrate technique” and “the reaction mechanism” in details. ▶ Comparison with the results of the XRD and EXAFS spectra, we can further testify that Fe atoms have already dissolved into the ZnO lattice without forming iron oxide. ▶ The analysis results revealed that the ferromagnetism of the Zn0.97Fe0.03O in this study was itself property of Fe-doped ZnO and not originated from the secondary phase. The incorporation of Cu reduced the saturation magnetization of Fe-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductors.