In the last decade, transition metal doped ZnO has been intensively investigated as a route to room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS). However the origin for the reported ferromagnetism in ZnO based DMS remains questionable. Possible options are diluted magnetic semiconductors, spinodal decomposition or secondary phases. In order to clarify this question, we have performed a thorough characterization of the structural and magnetic properties of Co and Ni implanted ZnO single crystals. Our measurements reveal that Co or Ni nanocrystals (NCs) are the major contribution of the measured ferromagnetism. Already in the as-implanted samples, Co or Ni NCs have formed, and they exhibit superparamagnetic properties. The Co or Ni NCs are crystallographically oriented with respect to the ZnO matrix. Their magnetic properties, e.g. the anisotropy and the superparamagnetic blocking temperature can be tuned by annealing. We discuss the magnetic anisotropy of Ni NCs embedded in ZnO concerning the strain anisotropy.
Structural and ferromagnetic properties in Mn implanted, p-type Si were investigated. High resolution structural analysis techniques like synchrotron X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of MnSi 1.7 nanoparticles already in the as implanted samples. Depending on the Mn-fluence, the size increases from 5 nm to 20 nm upon rapid thermal annealing. No significant evidence is found for Mn substituting Si sites either in the as-implanted or annealed samples. The observed ferromagnetism yields a saturation moment of 0.21 μ B per implanted Mn at 10 K, which could be assigned to MnSi 1.7 nanoparticles as revealed by a temperature dependent magnetization measurement.
In order to achieve a stable, long-term operation of flexible electronic devices, it is necessary to firmly fix semiconductive conjugated polymers to plastic substrates, thus preventing their damage against delamination or chemical treatments. Surface-initiated Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation of 2-bromo-5-chloromagnesio-3-alkylthiophene from photo-cross-linked poly(4-bromostyrene), PS(Br), films leads to covalent grafting of regioregular head-to-tail poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT. Herein, we investigate the grafting process in detail and elucidate the structure of the resulting composite films using ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and conductive mode atomic force microscopy techniques. In particular, we found that the grafting process is much more efficient if thick PS(Br) supporting layers are used. The maximal reachable thickness of the P3HT deposits is directly proportional to the thickness of the supporting PS(Br) layers. The obtained data suggest that the grafting process occurs not only at the PS(Br)/ polymerization solution interface but also deeply inside the swollen PS(Br) films, penetrable for the catalyst and for the monomer. The process results into a kind of interpenetrated PS(Br)/P3HT network in which relatively short (∼10 nm) P3HT grafts emanate from long cross-linked PS(Br) chains. The films show good stability against delamination, high electrical conductivity in the doped state, and high swellability that might be exploited for construction of fully "plastic" electronic devices and sensors.
The depth distribution of Ge implanted into thermally grown SiO2 films has been studied after annealing using transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and x-ray diffraction. At annealing temperatures above 900 °C a significant redistribution of the as-implanted Ge profile was found. Crystalline Ge nanoclusters embedded in the SiO2 matrix are formed within a cluster band with well defined boundaries. The evolution of nanoclusters can be explained qualitatively by a model based on nucleation, growth and Ostwald ripening of Ge precipitates. Besides, chemical and interface reactions lead to the formation of additional Ge peaks near the surface and at the Si/SiO2 interface.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.