Structural, Magnetic Properties of Wide Band Gap Oxide Semiconductors

Iron oxide (Fe2O3), Manganese oxide (MnO2) and Nickel oxide (NiO) nanopowder samples were prepared using mechanical grinding method and subjected to their structural and magnetic properties. Microstructures, crystallite size of the nanoparticles were studied using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Magnetic measurements were carried out using vibrating sample magnetometer low temperature (100 K). From the magnetic studies, it was found that the magnetic moment increased with increase of applied field in iron oxide and saturation was not observed even at high magnetic fields. The magnetic studies of NiO revealed ferromagnetic behaviour whereas MnO2 undergoes paramagnetic behaviour.