Formation, photoluminescence and ferromagnetic characterization of Ce doped AlN hierarchical nanostructures

Cerium doped aluminum nitride (AlN:Ce) hierarchical nanostructures were fabricated by a direct reaction of Al and CeO2 mixed ingot with ammonia using modified arc discharge method. X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectrum and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis obviously indicated that Ce3+ ions incorporated inside the AlN nanostructures. The prepared AlN:Ce exhibited a strong red-orange emission at 600 nm and showed room temperature ferromagnetism. These results suggest that AlN:Ce hierarchical nanostructures have potential as a light-emission nanodevice and diluted magnetic semiconductor. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.