Understanding ferromagnetism and optical absorption in 3d transition metal-doped cubic ZrO2 with the modified Becke-Johnson exchange-correlation functional

The electronic structure, magnetic, and optical properties in cubic crystalline phase of Zr1-xTMxO2 (TM = V, Mn, Fe, and Co) at x = 6.25% are studied using density functional theory with the Generalized Gradient Approximation and the modified Becke-Johnson of the exchange-correlation energy and potential. In our calculations, the zirconia is a p-type semiconductor and has a large band gap. We evaluated the possibility of long-range magnetic order for transition metal ions substituting Zr. Our results show that ferromagnetism is the ground state in V, Mn, and Fe-doped ZrO2 and have a high value of energy in Mn-doped ZrO2. However, in Co-doped ZrO2, antiferromagnetic ordering is more stable than the ferromagnetic one. The exchange interaction mechanism has been discussed to explain the responsible of this stability. Moreover, it has been found that the V, Mn, and Fe transition metals provide half-metallic properties considered to be the leading cause, responsible for ferromagnetism. Furthermore, the optical absorption spectra in the TM -doped cubic ZrO2 are investigated. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.