Solvothermal synthesis of In_2-xCo_xO₃ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) dilute magnetic semiconductors: Optical, magnetic, and dielectric properties

Highly crystalline and monophasic nanoparticles of In_2-xCo _xO₃ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) were successfully synthesized by the solvothermal method through an oxalate precursor route. Collective evidence from X-ray diffraction and reflectance measurements suggest that the Co²⁺ is incorporated into the In₂O₃ lattice site. Effect of cobalt dopant on the growth and morphology of indium oxide was studied by transmission electron microscopy. It has been observed that particle size decreases from 23 to 9 nm on increasing the Co concentration. High surface area has been obtained, with values ranging between 66 and 151 m²/g, respectively. Values for the dielectric constant were around 40. All these solid solutions show paramagnetic behavior with weak antiferromagnetic interactions.