Magnetic and dielectric properties of (Co, Zn) co-doped SnO2 diluted magnetic semiconducting nanoparticles

The magnetic, dielectric and electrical properties of (Co, Zn) co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were investigated. The polycrystalline samples of (Co, Zn) co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were prepared using a co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the (Co, Zn) co-doped SnO2 powder samples have the same tetragonal structure as pure SnO2 nanoparticles. The magnetization measurements revealed that the Zn co-doped SnO2 samples exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism. Magnetic hysteresis loops were observed at room temperature with high coercivity Hc of 85 Oe and remanent magnetization Mr of 0.412 memu/g for 1 wt% Zn co-doped sample. A decrease in the dielectric constant was observed with an increase in Zn doping content and frequency, at room temperature. It was found that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss values decrease, while AC electrical conductivity increases with increase in doping concentration and frequency. This study demonstrates that the (Co, Zn) co-doped SnO2 materials can be used for applications in ultrahigh dielectric materials and spintronics.