Enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism and photoluminescence behavior of Cu-doped ZnO co-doped with Mn

•Mn, Cu co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol–gel method.•Induced charge carriers and defects by Mn doping are responsible for enhanced magnetization.•Suppression of UV and strong visible bands at higher Mn was due to the defect states.•Better electrical and magnetic property of Mn=2% is to be used in opto-magnetic devices.

Cu, Mn co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the sol–gel technique. XRD pattern described that Mn-doping did not affect the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the samples and no secondary phases were found. The reduced crystallite size at Mn=2% is due to the suppression of grain surface growth by foreign impurity. The enhancement of crystal size after Mn=2% is due to the expansion of lattice volume produced by the distortion around the dopant ion. The better dielectric constant and conductivity noticed at Mn=2% are explained by charge carrier density and crystallite size. The suppression of broad UV band by Mn-doping is discussed based on the generation of non-radiative recombination centers. Hysteresis loop showed the clear room temperature ferromagnetism in all the samples and the magnetization increased with Mn-doping. Better electrical and magnetic behavior of Zn0.94Cu0.04Mn0.02O sample is suggested for effective opto-magnetic devices.

Graphical abstractMn, Cu co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol–gel method. Enhanced magnetization, suppression of UV and strong visible bands at higher Mn was due to the defect states.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide