Influence of (Mn or Co)-doping on structural, magnetic and electronic properties of nano Zn0.75Cd0.25S

Nano Zn0.75Cd0.25S doped with Mn or Co was prepared using the thermolysis method. The nano nature and particle morphology of the formed samples were investigated by the transmission electron microscope. The effect of doping with Co or Mn on the structural characteristics was investigated. Also, the phase percentage of cubic zinc-blende and hexagonal wurtzite phases, developed in the prepared samples, was characterized in detail using Rietveld analysis for synchrotron x-ray diffraction data. An extra phase (CoS) is formed in the sample doped with 20% Co, while the sample with 20% Mn-doping has no extra phase. The behavior of lattice parameters of zinc-blende and wurtzite phases upon doping and the occupancies of magnetic ions were also examined. Magnetic measurements revealed the transformation of Zn0.75Cd0.25S from diamagnetic nature to a weak ferromagnetic upon doping it by either 20% Co or 20% Mn. Density function theory calculation was used to understand the ferromagnetic behavior of the doped samples and also to investigate the effect of doping on the other optical parameters.