Synthesis and structural, magnetic characterization of nanocrystalline Zn1−xMnxO diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) synthesized by combustion reaction

Nanocrystalline Mn2+ doped Zn1−xMnxO, where x=0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 and 0.4 mol of Mn2+ diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs), were synthesized by the combustion reaction for spintronic applications. The effect of Mn2+ ion doping on the structural, morphological and magnetic properties of ZnO was investigated. The products of the reactions were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and magnetic measurements (VSM). XRD spectra data revealed the formation of a ZnO phase at all the Mn2+ doping concentrations used, indicating that the synthesis was efficient in diluting the Mn2+ ions in the ZnO lattice. Increasing the Mn2+ ion concentrations reduced the maximum reaction and ignition temperature and contributed to reduce crystallite and particle sizes. The samples showed the typical behavior of soft magnetic materials at all the Mn2+ concentrations evaluated here. The Curie temperature (Tc) was higher than room temperature at all the Mn2+ concentrations.