Tailoring room temperature d0 ferromagnetism, dielectric, optical, and transport properties in Ag-doped rutile TiO2 compounds for spintronics applications

Of late, d0 ferromagnetic oxide materials have been studied as potential material for spintronics application. We investigate the crystal structure, magnetic, optical, and dielectric properties of Ag-doped TiO2 compounds. XRD study reveals polycrystalline rutile form of TiO2 with tetragonal-type structure. SEM micrographs show spherical particles of size 2–3 µm. All the compounds exhibit ferromagnetism with Curie temperature beyond 400 K and with a typical coercivity value in the range 130–550 Oe. The bifurcation of ZFC and FC M–T curves points out magnetic irreversibility. All Ag-doped TiO2 compounds exhibited p-type conductivity as per the Hall effect study. Optical absorbance data indicate the widening of the band gap up to 6% of Ag doping followed by a decrease for higher doping and these materials exhibit transmittance in the range of 20–30%. The compounds exhibit zero dielectric loss and appreciable dielectric constant and their AC conductivity increases with Ag doping.