Magnetic characterization of ZnO doped with vanadium

The magnetic properties of vanadium doped ZnO nanorods formed by different growth methods were examined. The samples under investigation were either grown by metallorganic vapour-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) with in situ incorporation of the V atoms or by aqueous chemical growth (ACG) in combination with an ion-implantation process. The V concentration for all samples was less than 2 at.%. Field-cooled SQUID measurements only reveal a weak ferromagnetic signal still in a very sensitive measuring range. However, the MFM micrographs obtained at room temperature show a clear magnetic contrast and complex structures, the images are in good agreement with the phase images expected for vertically aligned magnetic dipoles. This is a strong indication for a ferromagnetic behaviour at room temperature. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.