Synthesis and magnetic characterization of Pb_1−<i>x</i>Mn_<i>x</i>S nanocrystals in glass matrix

Abstract

The synthesis of manganese-doped PbS (Pb1−xMnxS) nanocrystal (NC) dots within a borosilicate glass matrix has been investigated by atomic force microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic measurements. The fusion method was employed in the preparation of the magnetic semiconductor NC dots whereas the measurements performed showed changes in the physical properties of the manganese-doped dots as a result of the Mn2+-incorporation into the hosting PbS crystal structure. Nevertheless, the data indicated that only a small fraction of the nominal Mn-doping was incorporated into the PbS NC dot, in both lower (0.5%) and higher (40%) nominal doping ends. For the lower nominal Mn-doping end (0.5%) we found only about 0.05% actually incorporated into the PbS NC dot whereas about 0.45% appeared dispersed throughout the glass template as isolated paramagnetic centres.