Bottom-up synthesis of novel cesium ferrate (Cs2FeO4) nanorods: Tailoring the structural and optical characteristics with room-temperature ferromagnetic and colossal dielectric performance

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed protocol for the synthesis and characterization of cesium ferrate nanorods, a unique material that possesses a wide range of functionalities. These include the ability to demonstrate ferromagnetism at normal ambient temperature and the capacity to modify its structural, optical, and electrical properties. The XRD patterns specify the presence of an orthorhombic alkali ferrate phase (Cs2FeO4), with the size of the crystals increasing as the temperature rises. Furthermore, the XPS spectra of Cs 3d, Fe 2p, and O 1 s exhibit the formation of substances due to the peak positions fluctuate in reaction to temperature variations. The nanorod-like structure and size distribution of materials can be visualized using TEM and SEM. The UV spectra of the samples indicate broad absorption bands ranging from the visible to the near infrared (IR) region. Calcination of the as-prepared Cs2FeO4 at 400 and 600 ºC lowered the optical band gap from 2.15 to 2.04 and 2.06 eV, respectively. The temperature's synergistic effect is crucial in transforming materials from a paramagnetic to a ferromagnetic phase. The colossal sample's dielectric constant, which varies from around 107 at 600 ºC to 106 and 105 in the lower frequency band, and electrical conductivity show substantial fluctuations depending on the frequency. Nanorod systems have interesting optical, dielectric, and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature that could be used in many areas, such as photocatalysis, energy storage, and spintronics.