Ferromagnetism of aligned Zn1?xVxO nanorods grown by a vapour transport route

Single crystal Zn1?xVxO nanorod array aligned along the [0?0?0?1] growth direction has been synthesized by in situ doping of vanadium via a vapour transport method. Comprehensive structural analyses indicate substitutional V doping at cation positions with a doping level of 1?1.5?at%. Photoluminescence spectra show two unusual features at 418 and 492?nm associated with defects through V doping. As-fabricated aligned nanorods exhibit ferromagnetism at 10 and 293?K, which are probably due to defect-mediated exchange interaction.