Neodymium and Cobalt co-doped ZnO Nanowires

Abstract

In this day and age, the research of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors (DMS) has evolved into a significant field in Material Science. It is widely investigated because of its remarkable advantage of combining properties of both semiconductors and ferromagnetism. Indeed, EuS, Mn doped GaAs and InAs as well as oxide semiconductor based room temperature DMSs are all breakthroughs in improving magnetic performance and are milestones in DMS fabrication. However, oxide semiconductor based DMSs such as Co doped ZnO and Fe doped TiO2 are facing a dilemma that the magnetic performance examined could possibly be the characteristic of transition metal itself rather than doping in DMS material as a result of dopant accumulating effects. In this sense, a new fabrication method –neodymium and cobalt co-doped ZnO nanowire – is observed, which to large extent, would minimize the accumulation of dopants effectively, and provides relatively satisfactory magnetic property of DMS materials. In this project, we first introduce the concept of DMS and its applications. Secondly, we focus on ZnO based DMS thin film materials to look into the fabrication process, structure and various properties, followed by applicable ways to increase doping concentration and Curie temperature. In addition, we discuss about the disputes of conventional DMS and possible solutions – nanowire magnetic semiconductors. At last, we carry out experiments of Nd and/or Co co-doped ZnO nanowires and investigate the relevant properties.