Impact of Manganese Incorporation on Structural, Optical and Magnetic Features of ZnO Nanoparticles
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: ZnO nanoparticles doped with Mn at different concentrations were successfully synthesizedvia solution based approach. The structural, optical and magnetic properties were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD analysis confirmed a pure wurtzite crystal structure without any impurity phases and the average particle size ranged from 5.8 to 6 nm. Optical absorption studies revealed a red shift in the absorption edge with increasing Mn concentration, attributed to strong exchange interactions between Mn d-electrons and the host band electrons. Photoluminescence spectra showed characteristic band edge emission and defect-related green emission, with the latter being quenched upon Mn doping. All samples exhibited room temperature ferromagnetism, with saturation magnetization increasing from 0.032 emu/cm³ for undoped ZnO to 0.95 emu/cm³ for 3% Mn-doped samples. The observed ferromagnetism is discussed in terms of bound magnetic polarons mediated by shallow donor electrons.
Source: Research Square
Language: English
Topic: ZnO doping and properties
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204155732