Synthesis and ferromagnetism study of Ce doped CuO dilute magnetic semiconductor

Ce doped CuO particles have been successfully synthesized by a gas–liquid phase chemical deposition and a subsequent heat treatment method. The as-obtained samples are investigated by a set of characterizations including X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy respectively. The magnetic properties of as-obtained samples are investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It is found that Ce doped CuO particles are ferromagnetic at room temperature and the saturation magnetization of Ce doped CuO structures reach 0.04emu/g. A possible magnetic mechanism of Ce doped CuO structures has also been proposed.