Coexistence of superparamagnetism and ferromagnetism in Co-doped ZnO nanocrystalline films

Pure ZnO and Zn0.95Co0.05O films were deposited on sapphire substrates by pulsed-laser deposition. We confirm that the magnetic behavior is intrinsic property of Co-doped ZnO nanocrystalline films. Oxygen vacancies play an important mediation role in Co–Co ferromagnetic coupling. The thermal irreversibility of field-cooling and zero field-cooling magnetizations reveals the presence of superparamagnetic behavior in our films, while no evidence of metallic Co clusters was detected. The origin of the observed superparamagnetism is discussed.