Transition Metal Ions Doped ZnO Nanopowders

Intensive research on semiconductor nanomaterials has increased remarkably during the past years due to their unique characteristics. Wide-band gap oxide semiconductors have occupied the forefront because of an increasing need for short wavelength photonic devices, high-power, high-frequency electronic devices. Doping with proper metal elements via introducing acceptor or donor in host material is an effective approach to tune the materials with requisite properties. Among different magnetic semiconductor materials, 3d transition metal doped ZnO has received maximum attention due to the observation of room temperature ferromagnetism with suitable magnetic dopant ions. Therefore, selection of proper doping element in ZnO has become an important route for enhancing and controlling electrical, optical and magnetic performances of nanomaterials. The objective of the present investigation is to synthesis, structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of transition metal ions doped ZnO nanopowders by solid state reaction with sonochemical assistance. The synthesized powders are characterized by XRD, SEM, Optical absorption, PL, FT-IR, EPR and VSM techniques.