Influence of simultaneous cationic (Mn) and anionic (F) doping on the magnetic and certain other properties of SnO2 thin films

The SnO2, SnO2: Mn and SnO2: Mn: F thin films were deposited using a simple nebulizer spray technique. The structural, surface morphological, optical, magnetic and electrical studies were carried out using XRD, FESEM, AFM, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, photoluminescence, VSM and I-V measurements. The tetragonal rutile structure of SnO2 was confirmed using XRD profiles and it was found that this structure was not affected by Mn and Mn+F co-doping. A transformation from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic behaviour was observed after Mn and Mn+F addition. It was observed that the magnetization increased with Mn doping whereas decreased marginally after Mn+F doping. An enhanced transmittance was observed for the Mn+F doped sample.