Cube‐like LaFeO3 microstructures synthesised by a hydrothermal method and their optical properties. (6th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tong, Fan; Zhao, Ye; Wang, Mao‐Hua
• Is Part Of: Micro & nano letters. Volume 14:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 259
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2019-03-06
• Subjects: visible spectra -- photoluminescence -- X‐ray diffraction -- scanning electron microscopy -- ultraviolet spectra -- crystal growth from solution -- semiconductor growth -- transmission electron microscopy -- lanthanum compounds -- crystal microstructure -- microfabrication -- crystal structure -- narrow band gap semiconductors; optical properties -- orthorhombic structure -- facile hydrothermal method -- hydrothermal reaction time -- structural characteristics -- subsequent plausible formation mechanism -- potassium hydroxide concentration -- photoluminescence emission spectroscopy -- cube‐like microstructures -- X‐ray diffraction -- scanning electron microscopy -- ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy -- monodisperse microcubes -- alkaline source -- Ostwald ripening process -- visible light absorbing semiconductor -- narrow bandgap semiconductor -- photocatalytic material -- time 16.0 hour -- temperature 240.0 degC -- LaFeO3; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructures -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1049/mnl.2018.5366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-0443

Abstract

Abstract : The orthorhombic structure of Lanthanum orthoferrite (LaFeO3 ) was synthesised by a facile hydrothermal method. The hydrothermal reaction time and potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration play an important role in the formation of LaFeO3 microcubes. The obtained samples were characterised by several analysis techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy for identifying their structural and optical characteristics. On the basis of experimental results, it can be concluded that the obtained samples have been structurally characterised which confirms the orthorhombic LaFeO3 structure. Meanwhile, the results depict that highly pure and monodisperse LaFeO3 microcubes are successfully obtained when synthesised at the alkaline source of 4.5 g KOH and maintained at 240°C for 16 h, which have an average diameter of ∼7 μm. The subsequent plausible formation mechanism of the LaFeO3 microstructure has been explained on the basis of the Ostwald ripening process. Subsequently, the optical properties of the prepared sample were investigated and optimised, and the UV–vis data showed that the microstructure was a visible light absorbing semiconductor with a narrow bandgap. In addition, PL spectra indicate that the LaFeO3 microcubes synthesised by this technique can be considered as a photocatalytic material.