Impact of Nd Doping on Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of ZnO: A GGA + U Study

The electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of Nd-doped ZnO systems were calculated using the DFT/GGA + U method. According to the results, the Nd dopant causes lattice parameter expansion, negative formation energy, and bandgap narrowing, resulting in the formation of an N-type degenerate semi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Qiao Wu, Gaihui Liu, Huihui Shi, Bohang Zhang, Jing Ning, Tingting Shao, Suqin Xue, Fuchun Zhang
Formato: Artículo
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI AG 2023-11-01
Colección:Molecules
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/21/7416
Descripción
Sumario:The electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of Nd-doped ZnO systems were calculated using the DFT/GGA + U method. According to the results, the Nd dopant causes lattice parameter expansion, negative formation energy, and bandgap narrowing, resulting in the formation of an N-type degenerate semiconductor. Overlapping of the generated impurity and Fermi levels results in a significant trap effect that prevents electron-hole recombination. The absorption spectrum demonstrates a redshift in the visible region, and the intensity increased, leading to enhanced photocatalytic performance. The Nd-doped ZnO system displays ferromagnetic, with FM coupling due to strong spd-f hybridization through magnetic exchange interaction between the Nd-4f state and O-2p, Zn-4s, and Zn-3p states. These findings imply that Nd-doped ZnO may be a promising material for DMS spintronic devices.
ISSN:1420-3049