Co-doped Y-shape ZnO nanostructures: Synthesis, structure and properties

A novel Co-doped Y-shape ZnO nanostructure was fabricated using vapor–solid process. In contrast to conventional ZnO nanowires that usually grow along cc-axis, the branches of the single-crystalline Y-shaped nanostructure grew along directions that deviated significantly from the cc-axis for 22∘,96∘, and 13∘, respectively. Transport measurement showed that the Y-shape nanostructure can function as a switch. Due to possible ordered substitution of Zn by Co, ferromagnetism was observed at 300 K and even 400 K, suggesting its potential application as an excellent dilute magnetic semiconductor nanomaterial.