Optical properties of (Fe2O3)1−x/(Cr2O3)x (where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) nanocomposites

Abstract

In this paper we report the preparation of (Fe2O3)1−x/(Cr2O3)x (where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) nanocomposites. The FESEM image of pure Fe2O3 sample shows that the uniform particle size distribution is observed. The average particle size of the Fe2O3 nanoparticles is 19 nm. The crystallite size increases from 20 to 28 nm with increasing the weight percentage of the Cr2O3 in the Fe2O3/Cr2O3 nanocomposite up to x = 0.5. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra shows that the absorption peaks appear at 588 and 616 cm−1 which represent the Fe–O and Cr–O bond respectively. The values of band gap are found 2.1, 1.9, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4 and 1.2 eV for the x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 respectively by UV-Visible spectroscopy. Thus, the decrease in band gap and increase in refractive index with increasing concentration of Cr2O3have been observed. These high refractive index materials can be used for making optical devices.