Structural, electrical, and dielectric properties of chemically derived Sm-Doped cubic lanthanum molybdate nanomaterials

In this study, we successfully synthesized single-phase cubic fluorite structure La6-xSmxMoO12 (x = 0.4, 0.6. 0.8, 1) materials using the solution combustion method and determined their structural and electrical properties. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns provided detailed microstructural information for the prepared compositions. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy verified the uniform nature of the particles in all samples. The optical band gap obtained from the ultraviolet-visible spectra indicated a red shift up to a dopant concentration of x = 0.8 and a blue shift subsequently. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of different structural bonds in the compounds. The impedance spectra demonstrated the thermally activated non-Debye type nature of the compounds, and the electrical conductivity demonstrated their negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior. The time-temperature superposition principle was verified based on the scaling of the impedance spectra. The dielectric constant was found to increase with the temperature and the dopant concentration.

Automated summary

The study successfully synthesized new material La6-xSmxMoO12 and investigated its structural and electrical properties. A red shift in optical band gap was observed at a certain dopant concentration, and the electrical conductivity showed a negative temperature coefficient.