Absence of ferromagnetism in Mn- and Co-doped ZnO

Following the theoretical predictions of ferromagnetism in Mn- and Co-doped ZnO, several workers reported ferromagnetism in thin films as well as in bulk samples of these materials. While some observe room-temperature ferromagnetism, others find magnetization at low temperatures. Some of the reports, however, cast considerable doubt on the magnetism of Mn- and Co-doped ZnO. In order to conclusively establish the properties of Mn- and Co-doped ZnO, samples with 6% and 2% dopant concentrations have been prepared by the low-temperature decomposition of acetate solid solutions. The samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, EDAX and spectroscopic methods to ensure that the dopants are substitutional. All the Mn- and Co-doped ZnO samples (prepared at 400 °C and 500 °C) fail to show ferromagnetism. Instead, their magnetic properties are best described by a Curie–Weiss type behavior. It appears unlikely that these materials would be useful for spintronics, unless additional carriers are introduced by some means.