Vertically aligned Nd substituted ZnO nanorods: Morphology, optical characteristics and room temperature ferromagnetism

Zn_1-xNd_xO (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07) nanorods (NRs) are grown vertically, perpendicular to the glass substrate using a hydrothermal method. Nd³⁺ ions are successfully substituted into the crystal lattice of ZnO. The crystal structure, morphology, optical, and magnetic properties are comprehensively studied by various techniques. Significant changes are observed in the morphological and optical properties of the Nd substituted ZnO NRs. According to the magnetic measurements, the maximum H_c value is observed to be 39.04 Oe at a concentration of 3% Nd and the maximum M_s value is observed to be 20.52 x 10⁻⁶ emu at 7% Nd, whereas the maximum M_r value is measured as 1.86 x 10⁻⁶ emu at 5% Nd, confirming that the magnitude of magnetic parameters are independent of Nd concentration. An opposing correlation is found between the H_c value and the morphological properties (including crystallite size, average roughness, and aspect ratio) of Nd substituted ZnO NRs.