The Raman and IR spectroscopy study on the transition metal in ZnO

The behavior of transition metals in ZnO has become an important topic for spintronics. As the fundamental property, the nano-structural characteristics of the transition metal implanted ZnO have been studied. It is clearly observed that in ZnO the Mn⁺ implantation and post-annealing result in (1) the formation of crystallographically orientated Zn nanocrystals within the ZnO matrix and (2) Mn atoms occupy the Zn sites in ZnO by Raman spectroscopy. Further annealing of the high-dose Mn-implanted ZnO promotes the formation of ZnMn₂O₄ compounds near the surface and a porous structure within the implanted region, which is revealed by the transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The microstructure of Ni in ZnO has been observed to form a OH-Ni complex by the infrared spectroscopy measurements. This OH-Ni complex is thermally stable up to 500 degC.