Synthesis and growth mechanism of Cr-doped ZnO single-crystalline nanowires

Cr-doped ZnO single-crystal line nanowires are fabricated by a facile wet-chemical route. The nanowires show stable room-temperature ferromagnetic behavior. Calculations indicate that most of the magnetic moment is induced by Cr 3d and O 2p exchange interactions. The initial adsorption of dopants on the specific nanocrystal surface and the following oriented attachment of preformed nanocrystals play key roles in the doping process. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.