Magnetic, Optical and Structural Property Studies of Mn-Doped ZnO Nanosheets

We report the synthesis of pure and Mn doped ZnO in the form of nanosheets using a simple and single step procedure involving a microwave assisted chemical method. As prepared Mn-doped ZnO nanosheets were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultra violet-visible (UV-Vis), Raman spectroscopy and magnetization measurements. The structural studies using XRD and TEM revealed the absence of Mn-related secondary phases and showed that Mn-doped ZnO comprise a single phase nature with wurtzite structure. FESEM and TEM micrographs show that the average diameter of Mn-ZnO assembled nanosheets is about similar to 50 nm, and the length of a Mn-doped ZnO nanosheet building block which is made up of thin mutilayered sheets is around similar to 300 nm. Concerning the Raman scattering spectra, the shift in peak position of E-2 (high) mode toward low frequencies due to the Mn doping could be explained well by means of the spatial correlation model. Magnetic measurements showed that Mn-doped ZnO nanosheets exhibit ferromagnetic ordering at or above room temperature.