Synthesis and Optical Properties of (Cr2O3)(1-x)/(Fe2O3)x(Where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4., 0.5 and 0.6) Nanocomposite
Abstract
In this paper we report the synthesis of Chromium Oxides and Ferric Oxides (Cr2O3)(1-x)/(Fe2O3)x nanocomposites with varying concentration of ferric oxides (where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) image of pure Cr2O3 sample shows that the uniform particle size distribution is observed. The average particle size of the Cr2O3 nanoparticles is 25 nm. The particle size decreases from 23-16 nm with increasing the weight percentage of Fe2O3 in (Fe2O3)/(Cr2O3) nanocomposite up to x=0.6. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra show that the absorption peaks appear at 575 cm-1 and 599 cm-1 which represent the Cr-O and Fe-O characteristic peaks respectively. The broadening of these peaks with increasing the concentration of Fe2O3 is also observed. It gives an evidence for the formation of metal oxygen bond. From XRD the observed Crysttalite size is 23nm. The values of band gap are found 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7 and 3.8 eV for x = 0.0-0.6 respectively. Thus, the increase in band gap and decrease in refractive index with increasing concentration of Fe2O3 has been observed. As-prepared sample is applicable for photo catalysis to resolve the environmental problems and for the fabrication of optical devices.