Room temperature magnetic behaviour of Mn codoping in ZnO:Co nanoparticles synthesized by co-precipitation method

In this present work, the codoping effect of Mn²⁺ ions with Zn_0.95Co_0.05O on the structural, vibrational, morphological, optical and magnetic behaviours are reported. The Mn²⁺ ions codoped with Zn_0.95Co_0.05O nanoparticles (NPs) in steps of 0.01 are prepared by co-precipitation method. The single crystalline phase and local structure of prepared NPs were confirmed by XRD and Raman spectral analysis and Mn²⁺ ions codoping decreases their crystalline size and crystalline nature. The optical absorption and emissions properties of the prepared NPs were analysed using UV-DRS and PL spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy measurements were carried out at room temperature to reveal the presence of defects in the prepared NPs. The field dependent magnetic behaviour of prepared NPs was characterized by VSM measurements at room temperature, which confirms the room temperature ferromagnetic nature. From the Raman and Photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements, the presence of defects in prepared NPs was confirmed. The dominating role of lattice defects and grain boundary network plays a major role in magnetic behaviour was reported.