Influence of La³⁺ doping on structural and optical properties of SrCeO₃ perovskite

Abstract The SrCe 1-x La x O 3 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.10) perovskite materials have been successfully synthesized by auto-combustion method and calcined at 1100°C. The XRD patterns reveal a highly crystalline orthorhombic crystal structure with a Pnma space group in all samples. The TEM micrograph shows a spherical morphology of the 10 mol% La 3+ doped SrCeO 3 perovskite sample alongwith the SAED pattern confirming its highly crystalline nature. The incorporation of La 3+ ion in the SrCeO 3 perovskite has been confirmed by the Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements. The UV–vis absorption spectra at room temperature show various bands, with a strong absorption band observed below 400 nm. The optical band gap of the undoped and La 3+ doped samples have been calculated and it is smaller for the La 3+ doped perovskite samples than that of the undoped perovskite sample. Therefore, the La 3+ doped SrCeO 3 perovskite may be applicable for optoelectronic applications.