Spinel ferrite nanocrystals embedded inside ZnO: magnetic, electronic and magneto-transport properties

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the embedding of spinel ferrite nanocrystals within ZnO matrices via ion implantation, revealing distinct magnetic behaviors and electronic effects like anomalous Hall effect, with potential for tunable magneto-electronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to embed ferrite nanocrystals in ZnO and explores their magnetic and electronic properties, highlighting the potential for customizable magneto-electronic systems.

Findings

Different magnetic properties for NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 nanocrystals.

Observation of anomalous Hall effect and positive magnetoresistance.

Potential for tuning properties by selecting different transition metal ions.

Abstract

In this paper we show that spinel ferrite nanocrystals (NiFe2O4, and CoFe2O4) can be texturally embedded inside a ZnO matrix by ion implantation and post-annealing. The two kinds of ferrites show different magnetic properties, e.g. coercivity and magnetization. Anomalous Hall effect and positive magnetoresistance have been observed. Our study suggests a ferrimagnet/semiconductor hybrid system for potential applications in magneto-electronics. This hybrid system can be tuned by selecting different transition metal ions (from Mn to Zn) to obtain various magnetic and electronic properties.