Swift heavy ion induced modifications in structural, optical & magnetic properties of pure and V doped ZnO films

The effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on structural, optical and magnetic properties of pure ZnO, Zn0.95V0.05O and Zn0.90V0.10O films prepared by RF sputtering are studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals no significant change in the ZnO crystal structure except a small change in intensity and peak broadening on irradiation. Raman spectra reveal the degradation of crystalline quality upon ion irradiation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) study shows the formation of smaller sized nanostructures on ion irradiation. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ZnO films reveal the increase of defects such as oxygen vacancy in the films upon ion irradiation. The irradiated V doped ZnO films exhibit room temperature ferromagnetic behaviour. An increase in oxygen vacancy on ion irradiation together with V ion concentration favours enhanced ferromagnetic behaviour in irradiated V doped ZnO films.

► The enhanced room temperature ferromagnetic ordering in Zn0.95V0.05O and Zn0.90V0.10O films upon ion irradiation. ► Ion irradiation on pure and V doped ZnO films leads to the formation of smaller sized and more closely packed nanostructures. ► The increase in oxygen vacancies of pure ZnO, Zn0.95V0.05O and Zn0.90V0.10O films upon ion irradiation.