Structural and Magnetic Properties of Iron Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

Simple, economic and low temperature sol-gel method has been used for synthesis of iron doped ZnO nanoparticles. 0, 2, 6 and 10 wt. % concentration of Fe content is used. Structural and magnetic properties of these nanoparticles are studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Zinc acetate and iron nitrate are used as precursors. XRD results suggest that Fe substitutes Zn in ZnO crystal lattice. Hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO for all samples is observed. Doping with Fe improves the crystal quality of these ZnO nanoparticles. Hysteresis loops indicate room temperature ferromagnetism in iron doped ZnO nanoparticles and with the increase in iron concentration magnetic properties are enhanced.