Infrared and infrared emission spectroscopy of gallium oxide α-GaO(OH) nanostructures

Infrared spectroscopy has been used to study nano- to micro-sized gallium oxyhydroxide α-GaO(OH), prepared using a low temperature hydrothermal route. Rod-like α-GaO(OH) crystals with average length of ∼2.5 μm and width of 1.5 μm were prepared when the initial molar ratio of Ga to OH was 1:3. β-Ga2O3 nano and micro-rods were prepared through the calcination of α-GaO(OH). The initial morphology of α-GaO(OH) is retained in the β-Ga2O3 nanorods.The combination of infrared and infrared emission spectroscopy complimented with dynamic thermal analysis were used to characterise the α-GaO(OH) nanotubes and the formation of β-Ga2O3 nanorods. Bands at around 2903 and 2836 cm−1 are assigned to the –OH stretching vibration of α-GaO(OH) nanorods. Infrared bands at around 952 and 1026 cm−1 are assigned to the Ga–OH deformation modes of α-GaO(OH). A significant number of bands are observed in the 620–725 cm−1 region and are assigned to GaO stretching vibrations.