Structural, morphological and optical properties of pure and Yttrium (Y) doped lanthanum oxide (La2O3) nanoparticles by sonochemical method.

In this present study, La1-xYxO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by the sonochemical method and calcinated at 500°C. The phase composition of the nanoparticles depends on the value of x. The effect of structural, morphological, and optical properties of the pure lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La2O3 NPs) and Yttrium(Y) doped lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (Y: La2O3 NPs) was investigated through several characterization techniques. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used to examine the nanoparticles structural property and results revealed a pure hexagonal phase without any other impurities. The morphology of the yttrium doped lanthanum oxide samples was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The optical band gap of prepared nanoparticle samples was examined from the observed wavelength using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The vibrational properties of the bonds are analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and results exposing the presence of a functional group. EIS was used to study the electrical conductivity of the nanoparticles. The presented effort confirms that the prepared nanoparticles may be suitable for fabricating efficient dielectric and gas sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]