Investigations on structural, optical and magnetic properties of Fe and Dy co-doped ZnO nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles doped with dysprosium (Dy) were synthesized using sol–gel method. Further iron (Fe) doping was done to study the effect on structural, optical and magnetic properties of Dy doped ZnO nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction studies show a minor change in lattice parameters with no impurity phase. Raman studies also show no change in the hexagonal structure of ZnO with Fe and Dy co-doping. Photoluminescence at room temperature shows the presence of defects which further decreases with increase in Fe co-doping. Dy doped ZnO nanoparticles illustrate the combination of paramagnetic and weak ferromagnetic behavior. Further, increase in Fe co-doping in 2% Dy doped ZnO leads to antiferromagnetic behavior.