XPS study of single phase formation of Eu2O3 nanoparticles for enhanced ferromagnetic ordering investigated with BMP and FCE models

Abstract

The structural, optical, luminescence, electronic structure, and magnetic properties of the Eu2O3 nanoparticles synthesised using chemical co-precipitation routewere investigated while being annealed at two distinct temperatures500 °C and 800 °C. For Eu2O3 nanoparticles, the average particle size estimated using the Scherer equation, Williamson Hall plot, and size-strain plot is in the range of 23–44 nm while sustaining the body centre cubic structure (BCC). With an annealing temperature of 800 °C, the impurity phases of Eu(OH)3 and EuO are no longer visible in the sample that was with whenannealed at 500 °C. The luminescence properties of such cubic structures were characterized by an intense red emission centred at 613 nm. With the help of X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, the electronic structure of Eu2O3 nanoparticles is investigated. This revealed the formation of oxygen vacancies as well as the presence of the Eu cation in the two valence states + 2 and + 3. The Bound Magnetic Polaron Model and F Centre Exchange interaction, which establish long range magnetic ordering, are used to explain SQUID-VSM investigations that found clearly discernible ferromagnetic ordering in our samples at ambient temperature. The ferromagnetic ordering in these samples is explained by the creation of various complexes. It was observed that the synthesized Eu2O3 nanoparticles exhibit an efficient red-luminescence hence a potential candidate for application in lightings. The detailed outcomes of present study suggested the application of Eu2O3 nanoparticles as photocatalyst, optoelectronics and spintronics devices.