Influence of La3+ doping on structural and optical properties of SrCeO3 perovskite

The SrCe1-xLaxO3 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.10) perovskite materials have been successfully synthesized by auto-combustion method and calcined at 1100 degrees C. The XRD patterns reveal a highly crystalline orthorhombic crystal structure with a Pnma space group in all samples. The TEM micrograph shows a spherical morphology of the 10 mol% La3+ doped SrCeO3 perovskite sample alongwith the SAED pattern confirming its highly crystalline nature. The incorporation of La3+ ion in the SrCeO3 perovskite has been confirmed by the Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements. The UV-vis absorption spectra at room temperature show various bands, with a strong absorption band observed below 400 nm. The optical band gap of the undoped and La3+ doped samples have been calculated and it is smaller for the La3+ doped perovskite samples than that of the undoped perovskite sample. Therefore, the La3+ doped SrCeO3 perovskite may be applicable for optoelectronic applications.