Zn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles: Structural, optical, dielectric and magnetic properties

Abstract

Zn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized by the chemical precipitation method with the Zn contents ([Formula: see text]) of 1, 2 and 4 wt.%. The nanoparticles are crystalline in all cases, with the average particle size decreasing from 13.4 nm to 7.71 nm as the Zn concentration increases. The visible photoluminescence emission is observed in Zn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles, with larger emission intensity at elevated Zn content. The dielectric constant has a strong doping dependence, which is evidently enhanced with increasing Zn content. Magnetization measurements reveal the enhancement in saturation magnetization and remanence magnetization, while the reduction in coercive field is observed with increasing amount of Zn dopant. The variation of optical, dielectric and magnetic properties is due to the incorporation of Zn in SnO2 with smaller particle size and higher defect density. The present study clearly reveals the doping-induced ferromagnetism in Zn-doped SnO2 nanoparticles, having applications in ultrahigh dielectric materials, high frequency devices and spintronics.