Microstructural, optical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of multifunctional Zn_1-x Fe_xO nanoparticles

It is still unclear what contribution transition metals like iron play in the room-temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) of Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Although some research concluded that the magnetic interaction involves the Fe ions, conversely, other people do not think that Fe directly contributes to the magnetic exchange interaction. We have extensively examined the structural, optical, vibrational, dielectric, and magnetic properties of (Fe_xZn_1-xO: x = 0.00, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30) nanoparticles synthesized with sol–gel route to contribute to the understanding of this problem. Pristine ZnO samples showed compressive microstrain, which changed to tensile behavior when Fe ions of various weight percentages were added. In FESEM images, cauliflower-like surface morphology was observed with particle aggregation. The Maxwell–Wagner model explains the observed dielectric behavior. According to Tauc plot estimates, direct optical band gaps were discovered in the range of 2.89–3.24 eV. Ac power law fit on ac conductivity shows that the hopping of charges is responsible for the conduction phenomenon in the samples under investigation. With the Fe-ions doping, a good ferromagnetic signature as compared to non-magnetic ZnO nanoparticles was also recorded at ambient temperature.