Influence of Mn Doping on Structural, Photoluminescence and Magnetic Characteristics of Covellite-Phase CuS Nanoparticles

In the era of modern technology, the development of spintronic devices using diluted magnetic semiconductor nanoparticles has drawn significant attention from the world researchers. In this work, we report on novel Cu1-x Mn (x) S (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) compounds synthesized at room temperature through a simple precipitation method via EDTA as a capping agent. XRD patterns suggested that the entire synthesized nanoparticles exhibit covellite-phase hexagonal configuration like CuS. Reflectance measurements indicated energy band gap reduction by augmentation of Mn content. Photoluminescence spectra of prepared nanoparticles showed strong blue, green and weak yellow emissions at 471, 533 and 583 nm, respectively. The room-temperature VSM measurements suggested that bare CuS showed a diamagnetic nature, while Mn-doped CuS nanoparticles exhibited paramagnetism, which is enhanced with increasing Mn dopant concentration.