Synthesis and microstructures of La<subscript>1−x</subscript>Ca<subscript>x</subscript>CrO<subscript>3</subscript> perovskite powders for optical properties.

Calcium-doped lanthanum chromates La 1−x Ca x CrO 3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) are successfully synthesized using sol-gel method. The La 1−x Ca x CrO 3 powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy. To determine appropriate calcination temperature, the thermal decomposition process of La 0.8 Ca 0.2 CrO 3 precursor is investigated via thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy analyses. The highest crystallization in La 0.8 Ca 0.2 CrO 3 can be obtained while calcining at 800 °C. The microstructural analyses demonstrate that the La 1−x Ca x CrO 3 nanoperovskite powders with a diameter of ~ Ø20 nm are nearly spherical, whereas the grain sizes decrease with increasing the doping concentration of calcium. The substantial formation of Cr 6+ ions after Ca-doping decrease the band gap energy of powders achieved during the formation of impurity energy level, which can contribute in potential optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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