Phase analysis, FTIR/Raman, and optical properties of Fe3BO6 nanocrystallites prepared by glass route at moderate temperature in ambient air

Abstract

In this paper, a facile synthesis method is explored from a supercooled liquid Fe2O3B2O3 precursor using microwave furnace in order to obtain a single phase Fe3BO6 compound. Study includes X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images, FTIR/Raman and optical property of sample. The crystal structure and size of the Fe3BO6 crystallites have been characterized in terms of XRD pattern in correlation to the FESEM/HRTEM images. A single phase compound Fe3BO6 of an orthorhombic crystal structure with Pnma space group and average crystallites size D = 49 nm is analyzed from the XRD pattern. IR and Raman bands in the oxygen polygons confer the results of forming Fe3BO6 with a bonded surface layer. UV–visible absorption spectrum over a spectral range 200–800 nm of wavelengths reveals two high-energy bands 222 and 277 nm possibly represent a ligand to metal charge transfer transition while one broad and relatively weak band appears in the visible region at 400 nm ascribed to a ligand field transition 6A1 → 4T1 of the 3 d5 electrons in the Fe3+ ions occupied. This compound also endures good optical properties in the visible and ultraviolet regions that can be combined to magnetic and other properties useful for developing multifunctional features for possible applications.