Synthesis of SrIn2O4 by solid state reaction

Abstract

The use of indium oxide semiconductors particularly SrIn₂O₄ is of great interest due to their excellent photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties that can be used in various applications. In this paper, the effects of barium and copper addition on the phase purity, morphology, and crystal structure of SrIn₂O₄ were investigated. Different nominal compositions were synthesized by conventional solid state reaction. Rietveld refinement showed that the dominant phase for all the nominal composition is SrIn₂O₄. Calculated lattice parameters showed no significant change in comparison to pristine SrIn₂O₄ signifying that the addition of barium and copper atoms did not change the crystal structure of SrIn₂O₄. Increasing the copper content and decreasing the barium content lead to an increase in SrIn₂O₄ phase and grain size. SEM images showed multiple morphological features owing to the presence of multiple phases in IBSC compounds. Improvement in the morphology could enhance the semiconducting properties of SrIn₂O₄.