Ceramics-Silikáty 57 (2) 162-166 (2013)

SYNTHESIS AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Zn SPINEL CERAMICS

We present the synthesis and characterization of ZnTM₂O₄ spinels (where TM = Cr³⁺, Mn³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co³⁺), which are possible impurity phases in TM-doped ZnO that represent a large family of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS). The aim of our study was to find a uniform technique simplifying the whole synthesis of zinc spinels and their magnetic characterization. The synthesis was carried out by a conventional ceramic route with one calcination and two sintering steps. The structure of the prepared samples was proofed by X-ray diffraction analysis and magnetic properties were studied using SQUID magnetometer. Excluding the cobalt spinel, all spinels were singe phase and showed antiferromagnetic behavior.

Keywords: Zn spinel, Synthesis, Magnetic properties, Antiferromagnet, Bulk ZnO