Controllable photoluminescent-magnetic dual-encoded wurtzite ZnS:Cu2+Mn2+ nanowires modulated by Cu2+ and Mn2+ ions

The wurtzite-type ZnS:Cu2+Mn2+ nanowires (NWs) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method at 180 °C without any surface-active agent. The results of XRD, EDAX and XPS showed that both the Cu2+ and Mn2+ ions were incorporated into the ZnS lattice. The maximum concentration of the Cu2+ ions in the ZnS and Zn0.99Mn0.01S NWs was 7% and 1%, respectively. The maximum concentration of the Mn2+ ions in the Zn0.99Cu0.01S NWs can reach to 10%. The ZnS:Cu2+ NWs exhibited the Cu2+-related emission peak centered at 540 nm coming from sulfur vacancy to t2 level of Cu2+, while the ZnS:Cu2+Mn2+ NWs exhibited the Mn2+ (4T1−6A1) and Cu2+ (interstitial S to t2 level of Cu2+) related transition centered at 577 nm and 501 nm, respectively. Moreover, the ZnS:Cu2+Mn2+ NWs showed the room temperature ferromagnetism property, and the saturation magnetization was increased as the Mn2+ doped ratio increased.