Structural studies and physical properties of novel Sm3+-doped Sb2Se3 nanorods

Sm3+ doped Sb2Se3 nanorods were synthesized by the co-reduction method at 180 °C and pH=12 for 48 h. Powder XRD patterns indicate that the SmxSb2−xSe3 crystals (x=0.00–0.05) are isostructural with Sb2Se3. The cell parameters increase for Sm3+ upon increasing the dopant content (x). SEM images show that doping of Sm3+ ions in the lattice of Sb2Se3 results in nanorods. High-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) studies reveal that the Sm0.05Sb1.95Se3 is oriented in the [1 0 −1] growth direction. UV–vis absorption reveals mainly electronic transitions of the Sm3+ ions in doped nanomaterials. Emission spectra of doped materials, in addition to the characteristic red emission peaks of Sb2Se3, show other emission bands originating from f–f transitions of the Sm3+ ions. The electrical conductance of Sm-doped Sb2Se3 is higher than undoped Sb2Se3 and increase with temperature.