Growth and characterization of Mn- and Co-doped ZnO nanowires

We report on the high-pressure pulsed laser deposition growth of zinc oxide nanowires containing about 0.2at.% Co and 0.5at.% Mn by NiO and Au catalyst. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements revealed arrays of parallel-standing nanowires with hexagonal cross section and uniform in-plane epitaxial relations without rotational domains. Elemental analysis was carried out using particle induced X-ray emission and Q-band electron spin resonance. The valence of the incorporated Mn was determined to be 2+. Atomic and magnetic force microscopy measurements indicate that Mn is incorporated preferentially at the nanowire boundaries.