Local structure and magnetic properties of Mn-doped 3C-SiC nanoparticles

Mn-doped 3C-SiC nanoparticles have been fabricated by a sol-gel and carbothermal reduction method. The average particle size of the nanoparticles is about 126nm. Raman scattering studies indicate that the transverse optical and the longitudinal optical modes shift to low wave number and the full widths at half-maximum of Raman peaks increase after Mn was doped. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure reveals that the doped-Mn atoms substitute for the C sites in the 3C-SiC lattice. Magnetic measurement results show that the room temperature intrinsic ferromagnetism (FM) order is established. The origin of the FM has been discussed in detail.