INVESTIGATION OF STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF Ag-DOPED α-Fe₂O₃ PREPARED BY THE SOL–GEL TECHNIQUE
Keywords:
Silver-doped iron oxide, α-Fe₂O₃, sol-gel synthesis, nanomaterials, XRD, SEM, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, optical properties, lattice modification, photocatalysis, sensor applications, electronic structureAbstract
In this study, pure iron oxide (α-Fe₂O₃) and silver-doped iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel method, incorporating silver at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6%. The sol-gel technique was chosen for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to yield homogeneous, high-purity nanomaterials. Iron(III) nitrate and silver nitrate served as precursors, undergoing gelation, drying, and calcination to obtain the final oxide powders. Structural, morphological, and optical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-Vis spectroscopy.XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) phase in both pure and doped samples. Silver doping resulted in slight shifts in lattice parameters and reduction in crystallite size, as supported by SEM images which revealed morphological changes with increasing Ag content. FTIR spectra verified the characteristic Fe–O bonds, while UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated a redshift in absorption edges upon silver incorporation, indicating a modified electronic structure. The redshift magnitude was found to be directly proportional to silver concentration, suggesting tunable optical properties.These results confirm the successful doping of silver into the iron oxide matrix and highlight its influence on both structural and optical behaviors. The modified materials show promising potential for applications in catalysis, optoelectronics, and sensor technologies.
