Developing the Ferromagnetic Feature of ZnS:Cr Nanoparticles by Er Co-doping

Abstract

In the epoch of semiconductor technology, the design and development of doped semiconductor systems for spintronics and optoelectronics have allured hefty curiosity due to their modern physical characteristics. In this context, we report the chemical synthesis and tunable optical as well as magnetic properties of Zn_0.99-xEr_xCr_0.01S nanoparticles for the first time. Comprehensive structural studies proposed the effectual substitution of erbium and chromium ions into the parent matrix instead of Zn cation. A trivial spherical shaped cubic nanoparticle observed from the TEM micrographs. The erbium characteristic bands in the co-doped samples confirm the effectual incorporation of erbium co-doping in the ZnS matrix. The optical bandgap of the ZnS increased after chromium doing, and then, it decreased for erbium co-doping samples. The ferromagnetic feature of the ZnS:Cr nanoparticles significantly improved with respect to the Er co-doping concentration. The motto of the present investigation was to create the ferromagnetism in ZnS:Cr system and enrich that ferromagnetism via erbium co-doping. The plausible causes behind the enhanced ferromagnetism discussed in the results and discussion part.