Abstract:Nanosized Ni1-xRxTiO3 (R=Nd, Sm and Eu; x=0, 0.05 and 0.1) powders were synthesized by sol-gel method. The effects of Nd, Sm, and Eu doping on the microstructure and optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of NiTiO3 were systematically studied using characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and physical property measurement system. The results show that all samples exhibit charge transfer of O—Ti bonds and O—Ni bonds (200-365 nm), spin-allowed transition of Ni2+ from 3A2g(3F) to 3T1g(3P) (450 nm), spin-forbidden transitions of 1T2g(1D) and 1A1g(1G) (490-520 nm), and spin-forbidden transition of 1Eg(1D) (743 nm). Absorption spectra of Nd- doped samples exhibit an absorption peak near 588 nm correlated with the electronic transition of Nb3+ at the octahedral position, which change the samples color from yellow to green. All samples exhibit antiferromagnetism and ferroelectricity at room temperature, and Nd, Sm, and Eu doping at the Ni site significantly enhance the ferroelectricity of NiTiO3. Doping elements with larger ionic radii cause lattice distortion, promote the rotation of ferroelectric domains, and enhancc the ferroelectricity.
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