Open AccessCube‐like LaFeO 3 microstructures synthesised by a hydrothermal method and their optical properties
Author(s) -
Tong Fan,
Zhao Ye,
Wang MaoHua
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
micro and nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.25
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1750-0443
DOI - 10.1049/mnl.2018.5366
Subject(s) - materials science , orthorhombic crystal system , microstructure , hydrothermal circulation , photoluminescence , band gap , ostwald ripening , potassium hydroxide , spectroscopy , chemical engineering , absorption spectroscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , crystallography , crystal structure , optoelectronics , chemistry , optics , composite material , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The orthorhombic structure of Lanthanum orthoferrite (LaFeO 3 ) was synthesised by a facile hydrothermal method. The hydrothermal reaction time and potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration play an important role in the formation of LaFeO 3 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 LaFeO 3 structure. Meanwhile, the results depict that highly pure and monodisperse LaFeO 3 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 LaFeO 3 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 LaFeO 3 microcubes synthesised by this technique can be considered as a photocatalytic material.