The Effect of Rare Earth (RE) Metal Doping of Zno, On Magnetic and Optical Properties of Zno Crystals Structure

Year : 2025 | Volume : 02 | Issue : 02 | Page : 28 40
    By

    Gizachew Diga Milki,

  1. Assistant Professor, , Department of Physics, Jimma University, Ethiopia, , Ethiopia

Abstract

The magnetic and optical properties of magnetic semiconductors relays on the crystal structure, type and amount of dopant ions, and particle size. Then, the effect of rare earth metal (Dy, Eu, and La) doping on crystal structures, magnetic properties and optical properties are seen. It is revealed that the optical band gap of ZnO decrease down from 3.37eV up on doping with RE metals. Then, the Hamiltonian of the system is determined by using the Heisenberg’s and Greens theorem. The exchange integral is determined by 3D Heisenberg model while electronic states are calculated by the Green’s theorem. The expected magnetism is due to defect states, quantum size effect and double exchange mechanism.  For the ferromagnetic states, the exchange integral is positive while it is negative for the antiferromagnetic states. Retarded Green’s theorem revealed that both Magnetic and optical properties of RE doped ZnO are interdependent phenomenon. The combined effect of magnetic and optical properties of RE: ZnO exhibit can be tailored for biomedical and bioelectronics’ applications.  Furthermore, the incorporation of rare earth (RE) ions such as Dy, Eu, and La into the ZnO lattice introduces localized magnetic moments that interact with the charge carriers of the host semiconductor, leading to enhanced spin polarization and modified electronic transitions. These dopant ions create defect sites, oxygen vacancies, and lattice distortions, which play a crucial role in tuning the magnetic and optical responses of the material. The reduction in band gap energy upon doping can be attributed to the formation of intermediate energy levels within the forbidden band, facilitating visible light absorption and improving photocatalytic efficiency. The interaction between the 4f electrons of RE ions and the 3d electrons of Zn²⁺ ions enhances the ferromagnetic coupling through exchange interactions.

Keywords: Exchange integral, double exchange, ferromagnetism, magnetic semiconductor, spin interaction, quantum size effect

[This article belongs to International Journal of Crystalline Materials ]

How to cite this article:
Gizachew Diga Milki. The Effect of Rare Earth (RE) Metal Doping of Zno, On Magnetic and Optical Properties of Zno Crystals Structure. International Journal of Crystalline Materials. 2025; 02(02):28-40.
How to cite this URL:
Gizachew Diga Milki. The Effect of Rare Earth (RE) Metal Doping of Zno, On Magnetic and Optical Properties of Zno Crystals Structure. International Journal of Crystalline Materials. 2025; 02(02):28-40. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijcm/article=2025/view=234514


References

  1. Huang et al. Optical properties of Eu, Dy co-doped ZnO Nanocrystals. Optoelectronics Lett. 2014, Vol. 10, 3(1), 0163.
  2. Khataee, A., Karimi, A., Zarei, M., & Joo, S. W (2020). Eu doped ZnO nanoparticles; Sonochemical synthesis, characterizations and Sonocatalytic applications. Ultrasonic’s sonochemistry, 67, 102822. https:doi.org.10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.03.016 2020
  3. Zhang C. Y., et al. Structure and Optical properties of Dy doped ZnO film grown by RF Magnetic sputtering. Advanced material research. 2010, Vol. 97-101, page 11-14. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientfic. net/AMR.97-101.11
  4. Fidha, G. E. et al. Physical and Photocatalytic properties of Sprayed Dy doped ZnO thin films underlight irradiations for degradations methylene blue. RSC Advances. 2021, V.11 (40) 24917. https://doi.10.1039/d1ra03967a.
  5. Gurbani, N., & Chouhan, N. (2023). P-N Hetero-junction systems Eu doped ZnO@Go for Photocatalytic water splitting. Global challenges, 7(4), 22000106. https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202200106.
  6. Kumar, P., Kumar, S., Kaur, H., Kumar, A., & Kumar, A. (2025). Optimizing Photocatalysis: Tuning europium concentration in zinc oxide nanoparticles for superior performance. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 697, 416699.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2024.416699
  7. Pascariu, P., Nedelcu, O. T., Sandu, T., Romanitan, C., Brincoveanu, O., Pachiu, C., Manica, D., Manica, M., Popescu, A. G. M., Antohe, S., Ionescu, O. N., Suchea, M. P., & Koudoumas, E. (2025). Lanthanum doping effects on microstructure and properties of nanostructured ZnO. Materials Characterization, 224, 114994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2025.114994
  8. Raina, I., Kumar, P., Kumar, A., Singh, K., Somvanshi, A., Soni, R., & Kumar, D. (2025). Visible-light activated La-doped ZnO photo catalysts for enhanced degradation of crystal violet dye. Ceramics International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.09.158
  9. Mansy, S., et al. Computational and experimental study of wurtzite Phase ZnO nanoparticles. Materials Today Communications. 2023, V-35, 105688. https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023,105688.
  10. Smith, A. M., & Nie, S. (2010). Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Structure, Properties, and Band Gap Engineering. Accounts of Chemical Research, 43(2), 190. https://doi.org/10.1021/ar9001069
  11. Suyitno et al., Simple Fabrication and Characterization of Piezoelectric nanogenerators from cobalt doped Zinc Oxide Nanofibers, A.J. APP. Sci. 2017, 14(7), 662-669.
  12. Röder, R., Geburt, S., Zapf, M., Franke, D., Lorke, M., Frauenheim, T., & Ronning, C. (2019). Transition Metal and Rare Earth Element Doped Zinc Oxide Nanowires for Optoelectronics. Physica Status Solidi (b), 256(4), 1800604. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssb.201800604
  13. Tan et al. Electronic and magnetic properties of rare earth metals doped ZnO monolayer, J. nanomaterials. 2015, Vol. 2, 329-570
  14. Goel, S et al. Experimental investigation on the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of La doped ZnO nanoparticles and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells, Phys. E Low – dimens. System. Nanostructure. 2017, 91, 72e8.
  15. Sood, S., Kumar, P., Raina, I., Misra, M., Kaushal, S., Gaur, J., Kumar, S., & Singh, G. (2025). Enhancing Optoelectronic Performance through Rare Earth Doped ZnO: Insights and Applications. Photonics, 12(5), 454.
  16. Krishnaswamy, S. et al. Investigation of the optical properties of Dy doped ZnO/PVA thin film: White light emission for LED application. Results in Optics. 2025, 18, 100786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rio.2025.100786
  17. Zhang C., et al. Structural and Optical properties of Dy doped ZnO film Growth, by RF Magnetic sputter. Advanced Material Research. 2010, Vol. 97(101), Pp. 11-14. Doi. 10.4028/www.Scientific. Net/AMR. 97-101.11.
  18. Jayachandraiah C., et al. Influence of Dy dopant on the structural and Photoluminescence of Dy doped ZnO nanoparticles. Journal of alloys and Compounds. 2014, V- 636, Doi: 10.1016/j. jallcom. 2014. 10. 067.
  19. Kenneth Barbalace. Periodic Table of elements-“Rare Earth”. Environmental chemistry. com, 1995-2025, https:/Environmental chemistry. Com/Yogi/periodic /RE (Dy, Eu,& La).html.
  20. Xin, M. Effect of Eu doping on the structure, morphology and luminescence properties of ZnO submicron rod for white LED applications. J Theore.  Phys. 2018, 12, 177–182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40094-018-0304-1
  21. Divya, N., & Pradyumnan, P. (2015). Solid state synthesis of erbium doped ZnO with excellent Photocatalytic activity and enhanced visible light emission. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 41, 428-435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2015.10.004
  22. Dakhel A, A. and Hilo M, E. Ferromagnetic nanocrystalline Gd doped ZnO powder synthesized by co precipitation. J. Appl. Phys. 2010, 107, 123905.
  23. Wei S. H., Computational materials science, 2004, V. 30, 337
  24. Fasoline A. Intrinsic ripples in graphene.  Nature Materials. 2011, Vol. 6: 858–861
  25. Shi Y., et al. Magnetic coupling properties of rare earth metals (Gd, Nd) doped ZnO:
    first – principles calculations, J. Con. Matter Phys. arxiv: 2010, 1005.1115. Vol. 1. Pp. 71.55.
  26. Griffiths, David J. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. 2005, 2nd
  27. Thangeeswari, G. Parthipan, and S. Gowtham, Impact of rare earth (Dy and Yb) ions doping on magnetic and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles. 2019, 2105, 020003
  28.  Cong Li. Et al. Magnetic properties of La doped ZnO (0001)-Zn Polar surface with and without vacancies; First principle study. Journal of superconductivity and Novel Magnetism. 2018, 31 (9): 1-9, Doi. 10.1007/s10948-018-4564-4
  29. S. Malhotra et al. investigations on structural, optical and magnetic properties of Fe and Dy co doped ZnO nanoparticles, J. materials Science: (2018) 29:3850–3855.
  30. Junaid M et al. Band gap analysis of Zinc oxide for Potential bio glucose sensor. Results in chemistry. 2021, Vol. 3,100961.
  31. Yoon H, Jun Hua Wu, Ji Hyun Min, Ji Sung Lee, Jae-Seon Ju et al. Appl. Phys. 2012, V. 111, 07 B-523
  32. CaO H. et al. First principle study on electronic and magnetic properties of doped ZnO. Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials. 2014, 352(1):66-71. DOI: 10.1016/j. jmmm. 2023.10. 008.
  33. Daksh  and Yadvendra Kumar Agrawal, Rare Earth-Doped Zinc Oxide nanostructures, Rev. Nanosci & Nanotech, 2016, Vol. 5, No. 1.
  34. M. D. Coey (2010). Magnetism and magnetic materials. Cambridge University press. 7th edt. Pp. 264-300. www. combridge.org/9780521816144.
  35. Sugihartono et al. Structural and Optical properties of La doped ZnO thin films at room temperature. Processing and applications of ceramics. 2023, 17(2), Pp 107-112. https://doi.org/10.2298/PAC2302107S.
  36. Yang J. et al. Dy (III) Doped BiOCl Powder with Superior Highly visible – light- driven Photocatalytic Activity for Rhodamin B Photo degradation, 2018, 8, 697; doi:10.3390/nano8090697.
  37. Wang Y., Jing Cheng, Suye Yu, Enric Juan Alcocer, Muhammad Shahid, Ziyuan Wang & Wei Pan, 2016, 6:32711
  38. Dhiman, P et al. Rare Earth doped ZnO nanoparticles as a spintronics and Photo catalyst for degradation of Pollutants. Molecule. 2023, 28(6), 2838, https://doi:10.3390/molecules 28062838.
  39. Tripathy, N., & Kim, D. (2018). Metal oxide modified ZnO nanomaterials for biosensor applications. Nano Convergence, 5(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40580-018-0159-9
  40. Song Z, Timothy A. Kelf, Washington H. Sanchez, Michael S. Roberts, Jaro Rička, Martin Frenz, and Andrei V. Zvyagin, “Characterization of optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles for quantitative imaging of transdermal transport,” Biomed. Opt. Express 2, 3321-3333 (2011).
  41. Pangul CN, Anwane SW, Kondawar SB. Enhanced photoluminescence properties of electrospun Dy3+ -doped ZnO nanofiber for white lighting devices. Luminescence. 2018 Sep;33(6):1087-1093. doi: 10.1002/bio. 3513.
  42. Mejia-Mendez, J. L., Navarro-López, D. E., Sanchez-Martinez, A., Ceballos-Sanchez, O., Garcia-Amezquita, L. E., Tiwari, N., Juarez-Moreno, K., Sanchez-Ante, G., & López-Mena, E. R. (2024). Lanthanide-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles: Unraveling Their Role in Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant Capacity, and Nanotoxicology. Antioxidants, 13(2), 213 https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13020213
  43. Bisht G., and Sagar Rayamajhi; ZnO Nanoparticles: A promising anticancer Agent, Nano biomedicine, 2016, 3:9 | Doi: 10.5772/63437.
  44. Muhammad  Torequl Islam, and Mohammad Ashab Uddin, Biosensors, the Emerging Tools in the identification and Detection of Cancer Markers, 2017, V. 5, ISSN, 2474-7602.
  45. Carofiglio, M., Barui, S., Cauda, V., & Laurenti, M. (2020). Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Potential Use in Nanomedicine. Applied Sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 10(15), 5194. https://doi.org/1
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 02
Issue 02
Received 20/09/2025
Accepted 10/10/2025
Published 18/12/2025
Publication Time 89 Days
165

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics