Defects induced magnetization in B-doped ZnFeO dilute magnetic semiconductors

Zn_0.95−xFe_0.05B_xO (x=0, 0.05) nano-particles have been synthesized using a modified chemically derived citrate gel method. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates the wurtzite type hexagonal structure belonging to P6₃mc space group without the presence of any secondary phase in both compositions. The Diffraction analysis shows that Fe²⁺ and B³⁺ ions have replaced some of the Zn²⁺ ions while some occupy un-detectable interstitial and inter-granular positions inside the structure. Scanning electron micrographs obtained using scanning electron microscopy show typical smaller size of particles in B-doped composition. Temperature dependent electrical resistivity analysis shows the semiconducting characteristics of the compositions and that doping of Fe and B up to 10 at% does not change the electrical behavior of the host material. Magnetic measurements display room temperature ferromagnetism in both compositions with enhanced magnetization in B-doped composition associated with defect induced magnetic mechanism belonging to intrinsically augmented interstitial and inter-granular effects