Structural, optical and magnetic studies of the thin films and nanoparticles of ZnCoO prepared by pulsed laser ablation

Editorial Board PCSS Journal; Ihor Stolyarchuk; Oleh Kuzyk; Ireneusz Stefanuik; Olesya Dan'kiv; Andriy Popovych; Andriy Stolyarchuk

doi:10.15330/pcss.27.2.409-419

Authors

Ihor Stolyarchuk Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, Drohobych, Ukraine
Oleh Kuzyk Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University
Ireneusz Stefanuik University of Rzeszow
Olesya Dan'kiv Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University
Andriy Popovych Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University
Andriy Stolyarchuk Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15330/pcss.27.2.409-419

Keywords:

ZnCoO, diluted magnetic semiconductor, pulsed laser ablation in liquids PLAL, thin film, nanoparticle, optical absorption, photoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance

Abstract

Pulsed laser ablation has been applied for fabrication of Zn_1-xCo_xO thin films and nanostructures with a cobalt content of up to 10%. X-ray diffraction studies indicate that all samples are crystalised in a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a preferred orientation along the (002) plane. No other peaks corresponding to cobalt clusters or cobalt oxide were detected. Atomic forse microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for characterization of obtained samples. The energy bandgap decrease with an increase of Co dopant concentration, which is due to the exhibition of the s,p–d exchange interaction. In the long-wavelength region of the spectrum the additional absorption is observed, with are explained in terms of d–d transitions in tetrahedrally coordinated Co²⁺ ions. In photoluminescence spectra, four main peaks were revealed, which are ascribed to near band gap emission and nterstitial zinc, oxygen vacancies, and other impurities and defects, not only in the bulk but also on the surfaces of the investigated samples. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies have confirmed ferromagnetic ordering in Zn_1-xCo_xO thin films and nanoparticles at room temperatures. One of the most probable mechanisms for the origin of ferromagnetic ordering is the bound magnetic polaron model.

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