Structural, morphological and magnetic analysis of Cd–Co–S dilute magnetic semiconductor nanofilms

•Cd1−xCoxS dilute magnetic semiconductor nanofilms (0≤x≤0.08 at%) deposited by CBD.•The diamagnetic state of CdS vanishes for x=0.02.•For x>0.02, dilute magnetic semiconductor nanofilms shows a ferromagnetic state.

Cd1−xCoxS dilute magnetic semiconductor nanofilms (0≤x≤0.08 at%) deposited by chemical bath deposition have been investigated using grazing angle x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The introduction of Co2+ ions in CdS structure induces structural disorders and hence, results in degradation of crystallinity. The crystallite size, interplanar spacing and lattice parameter ratio decrease with increasing Co2+ concentration in CdS. The diamagnetic state of CdS disappears with increase in Co concentration and films with x>0.02 exhibit ferromagnetism. This may be explained in terms of the spin–orbit interactions and Co2+ ion induced the lattice defects and phase separation.