Doping of ZnO with Mn or Co: Two different behaviours for the same synthesis approach

In the last years the research in ZnO has seen a period of intensive work which can be attributed to the new available synthesis methods and characterization techniques. New potential applications have thus emerged for ZnO-based ceramics, provided that a stable and reproducible doping would be achieved. However this still represents a major challenge. In this new trend, Mn and Co represent a couple of interesting candidates for the obtaining of new ZnO-doped structures. But although a lot of work has been done in the past with both systems, a detailed analysis of the specialized literature yet reveals a worrisome lack of knowledge about these materials. In the present contribution the diffusion behavior and the solid state reactivity of both Zn-Mn-O and Zn-Co-O systems is analyzed in order to determine the possibility of obtaining a homogeneous doping of ZnO. The obtained results indicate that, whereas a stable Co:ZnO solid solution is easily attainable, the achievement of a homogeneous Mn:ZnO solid solution would be restricted to severe experimental conditions that limit its application for practical purposes. (Author)