Structure and magnetic properties of Mn-doped Al foil and Bi flake by inductively coupled plasma ion doping at low temperature

Structure and magnetic properties of Al foil and Bi flake were modified by inductively coupled plasma ion doping without bias. It was found that both paramagnetic Al foil and diamagnetic Bi flake after inductively coupled plasma doping with Mn ions exhibited ferromagnetic properties. Mn-doped Al foil and Bi flake had room-temperature coercivity of ~100 Oe and ~300 Oe, respectively. In addition, zero-field cooling and field cooling curves of both samples showed bifurcation behaviors below 300 K. Further microstructural investigations indicated that thin layers with MnAl and MnBi clusters were formed on the surface of Al foil and Bi flake, respectively. These clusters with short range order were supposed to be closely responsible for the magnetic properties change of Mn-doped Al foil and Bi flake.