Role of annealing temperature in tailoring Ce-Doped LaFeO3 features. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arman, M.M.; El-Dek, S.I.
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 152(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Orthoferrite -- LaFeO3 -- Magnetization -- Perovskite -- Nanoparticles; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2021.109980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: Recently, LaFeO3 has become the focus of intense research effort because it is a room-temperature single-phase multiferroic. Here, La0.80 Ce0.20 FeO3 nanoparticles have been prepared as a single phase on the nanoscale by a flash combustion methodology. The powder was annealed at different temperatures to investigate the influence of the annealing temperature on the physico-chemical features. X-ray diffraction analysis of La0.80 Ce0.20 FeO3 samples confirmed an orthorhombic structure with the space group Pbnm . The morphologies of the samples were studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The samples have a sponge-like morphology, and the pore size decreases with increasing annealing temperature. The molar magnetic susceptibilities of the samples were measured as a function of temperature, and showed an antiferromagnetic trend. For the sample annealed at 500 °C, the value of the effective magnetic moment, μeff, decreased as the Néel temperature, TN, increased. The dielectric properties and conductivities of the samples indicated a semiconductor-like nature, with two different conduction mechanisms. The morphological features of the investigated samples suggest their potential use in gas-sensing applications, water detoxification, and Li-ion batteries. Highlights: XRD analysis of La0.80 Ce0.20 FeO3 samples confirmed an orthorhombic structure with average crystallite size in the range 20–50 nm. The samples have a sponge-like morphology, and the pore size decreases on increasing the annealing temperature. The effective magnetic moment μeff decreased while the Néel temperature TN increased on increasing the annealing temperature. The type of optical transition in the investigated samples is a direct allowed transition. The morphological features of the samples are commensurate with their use in gas-sensing applications, and potentially in Li-ion batteries.