The structure and room temperature ferromagnetism property of the ZnS:Cu2+ nanoparticles

ZnS:Cu2+ nanoparticles were synthesized by the solvothermal method. The results showed that the nanoparticles with the diameters of 10–20 nm were of cubic zinc blende structure. The Cu2+ ions were substitutionally incorporated into the ZnS lattice and the maximum concentration of the Cu2+ ions in the ZnS nanoparticles can reach to 2.84%. The ferromagnetism property of the ZnS:Cu2+ nanoparticles was observed around room temperature, which was explained by the super-exchange mechanism.