Effect of Gd3+ doping on structural, optical and magnetic properties of SnO crystals

Layered dilute magnetic semiconductors are expected as promising candidates for next-generation electric devices, however, the low saturation magnetization limits their applications. Doping of semiconductors can effectively tune the magnetic and optical properties, which further influence on spintronic and optoelectronic applications. The discovery of layered materials opens a new door for spintronic application due to their unique properties. Here, the layered Gd3+ doped SnO crystals are synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method, with morphologies ranging from square shapes to four-pointed star shapes. We investigated the UV–vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence spectra and magnetic characteristics of the samples. The as-obtained Gd3+ doped SnO crystals show robust ferromagnetism at room temperature. From the first-principles calculations results, the substitution Gd dopants and the O vacancies work together to introduce the ferromagnetism. Our results demonstrate the Gd3+ doping tunability of SnO, a ferromagnetic layered material, as a functional material for spintronics and optoelectronics.