Characterization of nanostructured Nd-doped TiO 2 thin film synthesized by spray pyrolysis method: Structural, optical and magneto-optical properties

Abstract

Neodymium doped titanium oxide thin films with mole ratio Nd/Ti = 0, 6, 10, 15, 20, 25% were deposited on glass substrate by spray pyrolysis technique. The structural properties, surface morphology and absorption spectra of thin films have been obtained using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and UV-Vis spectrophotometer, respectively. The XRD patterns show formation of unique phases of brookite, orthorhombic, hexagonal. Thin films were amorphous for 25% dopant. The optical band gap has been increased with increasing of dopant. The presence of Nd in the TiO 2 lattice causes a weak ferro-magnetism in the thin films at room temperature. © Indian Society for Education and Environment (iSee).