Optical, magnetic, and photoluminescence properties of Cr/Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesised by solution combustion method

In this study, we investigated the structural, optical, photoluminescence, and magnetic characteristics of pristine and Cr/Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared via the solution combustion method. The prepared nanoparticles exhibited a monophasic hexagonal structure. The successful incorporation of Cr/Mn elements into the ZnO lattice is reflected in the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis. absorbance spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. Further, the photoluminescence intensity of ZnO nanoparticles changed upon Cr/Mn-doping due to the changed defect structure of nanoparticles. Furthermore, both pristine and Cr/Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles revealed the ferromagnetic behaviour, wherein the doping of Cr/Mn enhanced the ferromagnetic characteristics. Overall, our results divulged that doping ZnO nanoparticles with appropriate combination of transition elements would leads to unearth fascinating optical and magnetic properties.