Structural, optical and magnetic properties of Cu and V co-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Zn0.98−xCuxV0.02O (x=0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03) samples were synthesized by the sol–gel technology to dope up to 3% Cu in ZnO. Investigations of structural, optical and magnetic properties of the samples have been done. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the V and Cu ions were incorporated into the crystal lattices of ZnO. With Cu doping concentration increasing up to 2 at%, the XRD results showed that all diffraction peaks corresponded to the wurtzite structure of ZnO. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements showed that Zn0.98−xCuxV0.02O powders exhibited that the position of the ultraviolet (UV) emission peak of the samples showed an obvious red-shift and the green emission peak enhanced significantly with Cu doping in ZnVO nanoparticle. Magnetic measurements indicated that room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) of Zn0.98−xCuxV0.02O was an intrinsic property when Cu concentration was less than 3 at%. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of Zn0.98−xCuxV0.02O (x=0, 0.01 and 0.02) increased with the increase of the Cu concentration.

► Samples were synthesized by the sol–gel technology to dope up to 3% Cu in ZnVO.
► Photoluminescence shows red-shift and an increase in green emission with Cu doping in ZnO nanoparticle.
► Saturation magnetization increased with the increase of the Cu concentration.