Room temperature ferromagnetism and optical properties of Cu2+ doped ZnO nanopowder by ultrasound assisted solid state reaction technique

•Cu2+ doped ZnO nanopowder was prepared through sonication.•PL spectrum shows two sharp and strong bands in UV, blue emissions.•The site symmetry for Cu2+ ions is tetragonally elongated distorted octahedral.•It exhibits strong ferromagnetism at room temperature.

Cu2+ doped ZnO nanopowder was synthesized with the assistance of sonochemical method. Powder X-ray diffraction data confirms the prepared powder exhibit hexagonal wurtzite structure. From optical and EPR studies the Cu2+ ion occupied in tetragonally distorted octahedral site symmetry. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum at room temperature shows a strong ultraviolet emission (~378) and a strong, dominated defect related deep level emission (~435) in visible regions. Vibrational bands related to metal oxide bonding are evident form FT-IR studies. The magnetic measurement of the prepared sample shows good ferromagnetic property at room temperature.