Transition metal (Ni,Mn) codoped Zn3P2 nanoparticles: effect on structural, optical and magnetic properties

This work reports the pure matrix and synthesis of Zn_(3–(x+y))Ni_xMn_yP₂ (x = 0.02, y = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07) nanoparticles using the solid-state reaction method. The impact of Ni-Mn codoping on the structural, morphological, chemical identification, optical, photoluminescence, and magnetic properties of Zn₃P₂ nanoparticles is studied. The structural properties after doping confirm the absence of other phases and synthesized samples had a tetragonal structure. Using SEM with EDAX, the nanoparticles’ surface morphology, and elemental composition are investigated. The nanoparticles have a spherical shape and approximately the expected stoichiometric atomic ratio. The optical band gap of the undoped and codoped nanoparticles is calculated and found the band gap increased with increasing dopant content. The emission peaks show that all emission peaks are in the same wavelength position with effect of dopant level. VSM confirmed the magnetic moment is found to increase with an increase in dopant concentration.