Structural and optical characterization of DyAlO₃ perovskite powders obtained by combustion synthesis

Phase pure Dysprosium monoaluminate has been prepared from Dysprosium oxide and Aluminium nitrate by auto-ignition citrate complex combustion process. The phase formation has been investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Thermo-Gravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA/DTA) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) revealed that DyAlO₃ has an orthorhombic perovskite structure. From Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies, average particle-size has been found to be as low as 45 nm. The absorption spectrum of the DyAlO₃ nanoparticles shows characteristic absorption bands of Dy atom. The optical band gap of the material was found to be 5.15eV, which corresponds to direct allowed transitions.