Ferromagnetism and ferroelectric properties of (Mn, Li) co-doped ZnO nanorods arrays deposited by electrodeposition

One dimensional (Mn, Li) co-doped ZnO nanorods have been prepared using electrodeposition method at constant current mode. Room temperature ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity were found coexisted in the co-doped ZnO nanorods and the underlying mechanism were discussed. The origin of the ferroelectric behavior could be explained on the basis of the ionic radii difference between the Zn2+ (0.74 Å) and the dopants ions while the ferromagnetism can be explained by a bound magnetic polaron mode and influenced by oxygen vacancies. Electron microscopy results show that the nanorod is straight with a diameter of about 80–100 nm and the density of nanorods arrays is increased when the MnCl2 concentrations increase from 0.01 to 0.02 mol/L. X-ray diffraction results confirm that the ZnO nanorods arrays are polycrystalline structure and with a (0 0 2) preferential orientation.

► One dimensional (Mn, Li) co-doped ZnO nanorods have been prepared using electrodeposition method at constant current mode.
► Room temperature ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity were found coexisted in the co-doped ZnO nanorods.
► The origin of the ferroelectric behavior could be explained on the basis of the ionic radii difference between the Zn2+ and the dopants ions.
► The ferromagnetism can be explained by a bound magnetic polaron mode and influenced by oxygen vacancies.