Fabrication of ZnS:Cr nanoparticles with superparamagnetism and fluorescence properties

Abstract Incorporation of Cr into ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) as dopant has been achieved by a single step solution synthesis method. XRD and TEM studies confirm formation of NPs and substitutional Cr doping. Photoluminescence and magnetic measurements indicate blue luminescence emission and superparamagnetic characteristics of ZnS:Cr NPs. Unpaired spin in Cr 3+ in zinc substitutional sites, in optimum Cr concentration, could create spin ordering and single domain magnetism that is enhanced at low temperature. Such bifunctional blue emitting superparamagnetic nanoparticles of an important semiconductor ZnS can have immense potential in spintronics and as bio-carriers.