Structural characterization and properties of nano-sized Cd _1-xCo_xO dilute magnetic semiconductors prepared by solvothermal method

Nanoparticles of Co-doped CdO with 4.2, 9.3, and 15.4 weight% were successfully synthesized by a modified solvothermal method through oxalate precursor route. The oxalate served as an excellent precursor for the synthesis of pure and homogeneous oxide nanoparticles. Powder X-ray diffraction studies revealed the monophasic nature of these nanoparticles. The lattice parameter decreased monotonically with increasing Co concentration, confirming Co was doped into the CdO host lattice. Particle size decreased and surface area increased on increasing the dopant ion concentration. Optical absorption measurements showed an energy band gap that increased with Co concentration. Magnetization studies indicated that the samples showed paramagnetic behavior with weak antiferromagnetic interactions.