Exploring the multifunctional aspects of SrBi2-X(CoFe2O4)XNb2O9 nanocomposite materials emphasizing the structural, elastic, and optical properties

Abstract

Nanocomposites of SrBi_(2-X)(CF)_XNb₂O₉ (SBNCF) (CF=CoFe₂O₄ for X = 0.0 to 0.5 with a step increment of 0.1) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized for their structural, morphological, elastic, and optical properties. The incorporation of CF into SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ (SBN) resulted in hybrid composites with tailored properties. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement analysis confirmed the formation of orthorhombic SBN and spinel CF phases. Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM) revealed that SBN exhibits a plate-like morphology, with the incorporation of CF into the SBN matrix resulting in both plate-like and octahedral-shaped grains. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method was used to determine the pore radius and surface area, both of which were found to have increased, indicating an enhancement in photocatalytic performance. The presence of the constituent elements in the prepared compositions was confirmed by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra were used to determine elastic properties, suggesting potential applications in electronic noise filtering. From Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), a recognizable semiconducting behavior and band gap bowing were noticed in SBNCF nanocomposites on the obtained energy band gap values (2.20 eV–1.56 eV) compared to the SBN host matrix (3.16 eV). The materials exhibited strong emission peaks at 470 nm, 528 nm, 584 nm, and 703 nm upon the excitation of 425 nm light using Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The white emission was predominant at room temperature in all the produced samples and the corresponding color temperature values range from 5865.93 K to 7599.05 K from the CIE diagram. The SBNCF materials are promising candidates in photocatalytic reactions and white light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs) based on their enhanced optical properties.