Effect of Ni doping on the structure and properties of In2O3 nanocrystals prepared under magnetic field

Ni doped In2O3 nanocrystals were prepared by a coprecipitation method, and calcined in the absence of a magnetic field or in 12 T magnetic field. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy images reveal that the nanocrystals were highly crystalline and no secondary phase was detected. It is found that growth behavior of the nanocrystals was affected by the external magnetic field treatment. Room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in (In1−xNix)2O3 (x=0.05 and 0.12) nanocrystals. The ferromagnetism of the nanocrystals was controlled by Ni doping concentration and the external magnetic field treatment. The photoluminescence properties of the Ni doped In2O3 nanocrystals were also investigated.