Effect of replacing Sn4+ ions by Zn2+ ions on structural, optical and magnetic properties of SnO2 nanoparticles

This paper highlights on the consequence of replacing tetravalent Sn4+ ions of the SnO2 by divalent Zn2+ ions on their structural, optical, and magnetic properties. Samples of Sn1-xZnxO2 with x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04 were synthesized using microwave irradiated solvothermal process. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns reveal the rutile tetragonal phase of all doped SnO2 samples with no secondary phases. The transmission electron microscopy results show the formation of spherical nanoparticles of size 10-30 nm. Morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The functional groups were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies. Optical studies were carried by UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Electron paramagnetic resonance was used to calculate the Lande splitting factor 'g'. The magnetic properties using vibrating sample magnetometer exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism for all the samples.