Tailoring the physical and chemical properties of Sn<sub>1−x</sub>Co<sub>x</sub>O<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles: an experimental and theoretical approach
F.F.H. Aragón, L. Villegas‐Lelovsky, L. Cabral, Matheus P. Lima, J.C.R. Aquino, Mohan Chandra Mathpal, J. A. H. Coaquira, S.W. da Silva, L.C.C.M. Nagamine, Sofía O. Parreiras, Pedro Lana Gastelois, G. E. Marques, W. A. A. Macedo
Abstract
at the particle surfaces provoked by the inhomogeneous distribution of Co ions, in agreement with the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Magnetic measurements revealed a paramagnetic behavior of the Co ions dispersed in the rutile-type matrix with antiferromagnetic correlations, which become stronger as the Co content is increased. Theoretical calculations show that a defect with two Co mediated by a nearby oxygen vacancy is the most likely defect. The predicted effects of this defect complex are in accordance with the experimental results.