Structural, electrical and magnetic properties of Co and Fe co-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by solution combustion method

Nano-sized Co and Fe co-doped ZnO (Zn1-xFe0.05CoxO where x=0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02) powders were prepared by simple solution combustion method. The powder samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). The XRD patterns showed the formation of single phase wurtzite structure except for x = 0. The high porosity in the material was confirmed by SEM images. The DC electrical conductivity measurements were carried out in the temperature range 300-650 K and it was found to increase with increase in temperature. At room temperature, DC electrical conductivity was evidenced to decrease with increase in Co content. The room temperature ferromagnetism in Co and Fe co-doped ZnO nanoparticles was found and confirmed by hysteresis in the M-H curve. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.