Synthesis and magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO nanowires

Abstract

An electrochemical approach to the synthesis of Co-doped ZnO nanowire arrays on conducting substrates at 90 °C is reported. The structure and properties of as-grown and annealed nanowires were studied by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and vibrating-sample magnetometry. The Co-doped ZnO nanowires exhibit a broadened band-edge emission at 386nm with a strong emission band around 550nm. Room-temperature ferromagnetism was observed in the doped ZnO nanowires, which makes them potentially useful as building components for spintronics. Effects of Co concentration and annealing on the magnetic properties were investigated.