Structure and magnetism of GaMnN nanowires synthesized with nonmagnetic catalyst

•Mn-doping in GaN nanowires has been shown by incorporation of Mn in Au catalyst.•Up to 3% doping concentration of Mn in GaMnN has been demonstrated.•Magnetic behavior reveals room temperature ferromagnetism combined with paramagnetism.

We demonstrate the synthesis of Mn-doped GaN nanowires by the vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism, wherein Mn-doping was initiated through a nonmagnetic Au catalyst and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Structural and morphological characterization studies using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy confirm the doping of Mn in wurzite GaN nanowires with a concentration of 0.2–3%. The magnetic measurements indicate a combination of room temperature ferromagnetism, plus a paramagnetic component due to antiferromagnetic superexchange.