INVESTIGATIONS ON FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF Al0.8EuyLa0.2−yTiO3 (y=0.01−0.04) NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED BY HYDROTHERMAL METHOD

Abstract

Europium-doped (0.01–0.04) Al[Formula: see text]La[Formula: see text]TiO3 (AELTO) nanoparticles (NPs) series were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. These NPs were investigated for structural, and morphological studies through XRD, FTIR, FESEM and TEM analysis. Scherrer’s formula and Williamson–Hall (W–H) analysis were employed to determine crystallite size and lattice strain. The crystallite size was decreased with an increase in Eu content up to 0.03 wt.%. The surface morphology and percentage of elementals of AELTO NPs were investigated using FESEM with EDX as well as TEM analysis. The vibrational modes of AELTO NPs were attained by employing FTIR spectra. These modes are deferred mainly on chemical composition, crystallinity, morphology and strain of the AELTO NPs. Optical bandgaps of AELTO NPs were calculated and found to be in the range of 3.40–3.37[Formula: see text]eV with the increase of Eu content. These NPs could find potential applications for solid state lighting and down-shifter for solar energy harvesting.