Iron-Doped Titania for Magneto-Opto-Electronic Device Applications

Almost a decade ago, transition metal-doped wide-bandgap metal oxides showed a significant contribution to device applications. In combination, they are a promising candidate for applications in electro-magneto-optic devices. In the present study, Fe 2 O 3 (hematite ore) (0–5 wt.%)-doped titania (TiO 2 ) was synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction. An increase in secondary phases was observed with high Fe percentage. Further degradation of crystallinity was observed in the x-ray diffraction (XRD) study. The average crystallite size, according to the Williamson–Hall plot, is 42 nm. Vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) investigation depicts maximum magnetization for 2% Fe:TiO 2 of 6.2 × 10 −1 emu/gm. The absorption spectra showed a higher wavelength shift with the increase in Fe. Similarly, the luminescence spectra underwent quenching with high Fe 2 O 3 in the TiO 2 . The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed all particles with a size of ~ 50 nm. According to the dielectric results, the electrical conductivity of un-doped and low-Fe-doped TiO 2 is weak, whereas it improves at a higher frequency. This study revealed that the 2% Fe:TiO 2 sample shows high crystallinity, maximum emission intensity, high dielectric constant, and maximum magnetization. Thus, 2% iron-doped titania is efficient for magneto-opto-electronic device applications. Graphical Abstract