The experimental investigation on the crystalline structure, lattice vibration, and optical energy of La_1-xBi_xFeO₃ nanoparticles

Lanthanum-bismuth orthoferrite (La_1-xBi_xFeO₃ with x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) nanoparticles have been successfully prepared using sol-gel method. The crystalline structure, lattice vibration, and optical energy analysis have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman scattering spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The XRD revealed the single phase orthorhombic structure with Pnma space group. The crystallite size tends to decrease in the range of 130 – 298 nm with increasing Bicontent. The existence of Fe–O strectching and bending modes were investigated by FTIR spectra and also confirmed by Raman scattering analysis. The optical bandgap was investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy concluding the decrease of gap energy with Bi-content. (paper)