Sonochemical assisted synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of Fe^sup 3+^ doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor

Fe^sup 3+^ doped ZnO nanopowder has been synthesized by sonochemical assistance and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. The structure, surface morphologies and optical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence spectrometer (PL) and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. XRD reveals that Fe^sup 3+^ ions enter into ZnO lattices without any secondary phases. SEM micrographs of prepared sample show that surface is rough and stone like structure with different sizes. PL studies of Fe^sup 3+^ doped ZnO nanopowder exhibits ultraviolet and blue emission bands. Magnetometric measurements (vibrating sample magnetometer) indicate ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. This observation is further confirmed by the EPR spectrum of Fe^sup 3+^ doped ZnO at room temperature.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]