Enhancement of structural and optical properties of synthesized Dy3+- Mn2+ doped and co-doped magnesium borate MgB4O7

In the present work, magnesium borate (MgB4O7) was synthesized via sol-gel process. Mn2+ and Dy3+ were added as a dopants and co-dopants in the prepared material at concentrations of 0.01 g. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies checked the nature of the synthesized materials. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) was investigated to find the effect of dopants on the absorption spectra in comparison with that of pure sample (without dopants). The particles sizes were calculated using Scherrer's equation and found to be in the range of 9.37-13.78 nm and 24.75-32.15 nm at 700 and 900 ? respectively. The energy band gap (E-opt) of MgB4O7 increased (from 3.78 eV to 3.83 eV) with doping for direct transitions and ranged between 3.63 and 3.66 eV for indirect transitions. In the same time, Urbach energy values are found to be in the range of 0.070-0.175 eV. Results of the structural and optical properties can help increase utilization of the correct form of magnesium borate MgB4O7 in different applications in industry.