Carriers mediated magnetic and impedance spectroscopic analysis of sol–gel synthesized Zn0.95−x Mn x Fe0.05O (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) DMSs

Zn0.95−x Mn x Fe0.05O (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) dilute magnetic semiconductors were prepared using sol–gel auto-combustion method for potential spintronic applications. Effect of Mn + Fe doping on dielectric and magnetic behavior of ZnO-based dilute magnetic semiconductors has been probed systematically. Investigation of crystal structure reveals that co-doping of Mn and Fe into the host ZnO does not transform its wurtzite-type hexagonal lattice. This efficient substitution of the dopants at the host site resulted in a gradual decrease in the lattice parameters attributed to the local coordination. Well-dispersed nanometer-sized grains have been revealed by images obtained using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirms the exact nominal composition of the stoichiometric elements present in the samples. Dielectric measurements performed using an impedance analyzer in a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 MHz follow Koop’s theory and Maxwell–Wagner two-layered model. Nyquist plot (Cole–Cole) shows that the data points are laying on single semicircle, which shows the dominant behavior of the grain boundary’s effect. Magnetic characteristics explored by a vibrating sample magnetometer revealed that with increased Mn doping, enhanced values of both saturation magnetization and coercivity were obtained.