Abstract:The effects of Ce doping on the structure, optical, oxidation, thermal and magnetic properties of ZnS:Ce nanorods synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method were reported. The crystalline phase transformation from cubic to hexagonal structure was observed upon doping ZnS with Ce. Magnetic measurements showed the existence of room temperature ferromagnetism in Ce-doped ZnS nanorods. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) measurements provided evidence for Zn—S bonds and oxidation state of Ce in the near-surface region. Raman spectrum provided evidence for the presence of defects as well as hexagonal structure of 5 wt.% Ce doped ZnS nanorods. Ce substitution induced shape evolution was studied by using TEM. DRS spectra further validated the incorporation of Ce³⁺ ions. The present study reveals that Ce doped ZnS nanorods may find applications in spintronic devices.

Key words: Ce dopant; ZnS nanorods; phase transition; ferromagnetism; sulphur vacancy; thermal stability