Size dependent ferromagnetism in dodecyl amine capped ZnO nanoparticles

We investigated the size dependent ferromagnetism in dodecyl amine capped zinc oxide nanoparticle. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that density of oxygen vacancies was enhanced due to an increase in compressive strain concomitant with the decrease in particle size. Magnetic measurements showed increased ferromagnetic ordering in ZnO nanoparticles with reduced particle size. It was also found that the increase in coercive field, saturation magnetization and magnetic hysteresis loop area were invariably associated with increased oxygen defect population. The observed ferromagnetism in organic capped zinc oxide nanocrystals has therefore been assigned to defect induced phenomena. Results of sample characterization using optical absorption spectroscopy, photo luminescence spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscope have also been presented.