Realisation of 'diluted' magnetic (nano)semiconductors

What is it about?

The most remarkable contributions of this article are the following two: (a) non-magnetic ZnO nanoparticles have been transformed into magnets without the use of any magnetic dopant; (b) the intensity of the induced magnetism can be modulated by thermally decomposing certain organic molecules previously attached to the surface of the nanoparticles.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

One of the top 125 unanswered scientific questions asked about the possibility of having magnetic semiconductors working at room temperature. The findings derived from the intense research carried out in diluted magnetic semiconductors, especially in ZnO-based materials, let us think that a definitive answer to the aforementioned question is next to come. It has to be noted that 'turning' semiconductors magnetic can be consideredas a truly nano phenomenon, as it has never been observed in bulk materials but only in nanoparticles and thin films.