Nickel-Doped LaFeO3 Nanoparticles Exhibits N-Type Polaronic Hopping Conduction

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Nanotechnology research conducted at the Thin Film Laboratory in India has led to a breakthrough in understanding the structural and dielectric modifications in sol-gel-synthesized LaFe1-xNixO3 nanoparticles. The study, published in Applied Physics A, explores the effects of Ni doping on the lattice distortions, crystallite size, and optical bandgap energies of these nanoparticles.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study explores the structural and dielectric modifications in sol-gel-synthesized LaFe1-xNixO3 nanoparticles through Ni doping, with a focus on lattice distortions, crystallite size, and optical bandgap energies.
  • Ni incorporation induces lattice distortions, evidenced by peak broadening and shifts in XRD patterns, consistent with ionic radius differences between Fe3+ and Ni2+.
  • FESEM reveals homogeneous nanoparticle distributions with an average size of 30 nm, aligning with crystallite size trends observed in Ni-doped LaFeO3 systems.
  • UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance and Raman Spectroscopy confirm structural distortions, particularly in Fe/Ni-O bond dynamics, influencing oxygen mobility and lattice disorder.
  • XPS surface analysis reveals Ni predominantly occupies Fe sites, altering oxidation states and enhancing surface charge interactions, which correlate with dielectric responses.
  • The activation energy values of the grain boundary and grain for x = 0.1, x = 0.3, and x = 0.5 are 0.21 eV and 0.180 eV, 0.172 eV, 0.191 eV, and 0.144 eV, 0.134 eV, respectively.
  • Activation energy decreases with Ni content, suggesting enhanced N-type polaronic hopping due to Ni-induced defect states.
  • Frequency-dependent conductivity implies the Jonscher power law, while the Jump Relaxation Model explains localized hopping of charge carriers.

Statistics:

  • The study reports an average nanoparticle size of 30 nm.
  • XRD patterns show peak broadening and shifts with Ni incorporation, indicating lattice distortions.
  • Activation energy values:

+ Grain boundary: 0.21 eV, 0.180 eV, 0.172 eV, 0.191 eV

+ Grain: 0.144 eV, 0.134 eV

  • The study explores three compositions: x = 0.1, x = 0.3, and x = 0.5.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Report Summarizes Nanotechnology Study Findings from Thin Film Laboratory (Nickel-doped Lafeo 3 Nano Particles With N-type Polaronic Hopping Conduction Through Intra-grain Boundary and Grain Effect). Journal of Technology & Science. October 19, 2025; p 3260.
  • Applied Physics A. Nickel-doped Lafeo 3 Nano Particles With N-type Polaronic Hopping Conduction Through Intra-grain Boundary and Grain Effect. 2025;131(10).