Optical and magnetic properties of solid solutions of In2− x Mn x O3 (0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) nanoparticles

Abstract: Mn-doped indium oxide (In2− x Mn x O3) nanoparticles (7–12nm) with x =0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 have been synthesized by solvothermal method using oxalate precursor route for the first time. Powder X-ray diffraction studies showed the formation of monophasic cubic structure of In2− x Mn x O3 solid solutions. X-ray diffraction and UV–visible reflectance studies revealed that Mn2+ ions are doped into the In2O3 lattice. Reflectance measurements showed red shift in an energy band gap which decreases with an increase in the Mn concentration. Maximum surface area of 768m2 g−1 is obtained for In1.85Mn0.15O3 nanoparticles. Magnetization measurement revealed that all the samples are paramagnetic in nature with very weak antiferromagnetic interactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]