Structural, optical and dielectric properties of Sn0.97Ce0.03O2 nanostructures

Abstract

In present work, 3% cerium doped SnO2 (Sn0.97Ce0.03O2) nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by sol–gel method. The prepared sample has been characterized by using various techniques such as XRD, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and LCR meter measurements. Structural Rietveld refinement of XRD data reveals that (Sn0.97Ce0.03O2) sample has a pure single phase tetragonal structure with space group (P42/mnm) without creating any impurity phase such as cerium oxide. UV–visible spectroscopy determines band gap value 3.47 eV for (Sn0.97Ce0.03O2) NPs using Tauc's relation. Dielectric constant and loss decreased with increase in frequency while ac conductivity was found to increase with increase in frequency. The observed dielectric results has been explained in the light of Maxwell–Wagner model.