Probing the effect of R-cation radii on structural, vibrational, optical, and dielectric properties of rare earth (R=La, Pr, Nd) aluminates

Abstract

The present study correlates the effect of R-cation radii on structural, vibrational, optical, and dielectric properties of rhombohedral rare earth aluminates RAlO3 (R = La, Pr, Nd). The polycrystalline samples of RAlO3 have been synthesized using sol-gel synthesis technique. Pure rhombohedral phase of RAlO3 samples has been confirmed with X-ray diffraction. Systematic decrements in the lattice parameter, bond length, and bond angle have been observed, giving rise to structural distortion due to decrease in ionic radii of R-cation. The phononic properties of RAlO3 have been investigated through Raman spectroscopy, where the degree of distortion of AlO6 octahedra can be analyzed with the peak position of Eg and A1g modes. An increase in the energy bandgap with decreasing R-cation radii shows an interconnection with the decrease in Al–O bond length. Interestingly, the decreasing dielectric constant with decreasing ionic radii of R-cation has been correlated with the difference in electronegativity of cation(R3+)-anion(O2−) pair. Also, a positive linear relationship between dielectric constant and energy bandgap has been investigated using Penn model. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.