The role of Cu (0-0.03) and Zn (0.02) substitution on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of MgO nanoparticles

The co-precipitation method was employed to prepared Cu (0-0.03) and Zn (0.02) dual doped MgO nanoparticles. The secondary phases of CuO and Cu2O were observed along with the cubical phase of MgO. The doping induced effect was noticed for the crystallite size variations (14.39-19.89 nm). The morphological transformation from spherical to rice-like shape were observed. The estimated values of optical bandgap (4.66-4.45 eV) were well correlated with the crystallite size and dopant concentrations. The ferromagnetic ordering was observed at room temperature and the enchantment in the coercivity (142.27 Oe) with Zn (0.02) doping was noticed. Such type of ferromagnetism at room temperature in the samples can be used for future multibit spintronic and data storage devices.