Study of the substitution effect of Mn doped in ZnO matrix

Abstract

Zn(1-x)Mn(x)O (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15) powders were prepared by solid-state reaction processes. The structural and magnetic properties of the powders were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the samples indicates the presence of wurtzite crystal structure similar to pure ZnO and absence of any other secondary phase till 5% Mn doping. This suggests that doped Mn(2+) ions substitute Zn(2+) sites. However, Raman results revealed the presence of secondary phase even at very low Mn doping (2%), which demonstrates that Mn does not incorporate completely the ZnO lattice. The powders exhibit ferromagnetism at low temperatures and paramagnetic at room temperature. Transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic is highlighted by measurements at 230 K.