Effect of dopant on ferroelectric, dielectric and photocatalytic properties of chromium-doped cobalt perovskite prepared via micro-emulsion route

Chromium-doped cobalt perovskite (Co1-xCrxFeO3) were fabricated via micro-emulsion approach. Phase, morphology and elemental composition of fabricated materials were confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive Xrays spectroscopy (EDX). The X-ray density, bulk density, porosity, cell volume and lattice parameters were calculated, the average crystallite size was found to be 28 nm. EDX analysis confirmed the occurrence of Fe, Cr, Co and O in the fabricated perovskite. The Wagner and Koop's theory was used to evaluate the dielectric loss factors and dielectric constant. By increasing the dopant concentration, dielectric constant was decreased and appearance of polarization electric loops implies the ferroelectric nature of Co1-xCrxFeO3 NPs, which enables them to be used in multi-layered capacitors and storage devices. Furthermore, the band gap energy was assessed by empoying Tauc plot, which was found to be 1.88 eV. Finally, the photocatalytic activity (PCA) was appraised using MB (methylene blue) dye as model, which was degraded up to 55.38% in 80 min under solar light irradiation. Results depicted that the Co1-xCrxFeO3 NPs dielectric, ferroelectric and catalytic characteristics were dependent to dopant content.

Automated summary

Chromium-doped cobalt perovskite materials were fabricated using a micro-emulsion approach and their physical and chemical properties were comprehensively characterized, showing their potential applications in multi-layered capacitors and storage devices, as well as good photocatalytic activity.