Size dependent electron–phonon coupling in Li0.5Co0.1Fe2.4O4 nanoparticles investigated by Raman spectroscopy

The Raman spectra of Li0.5Co0.1Fe2.4O4 nanoparticles have been recorded in the spectral range, 400–800 cm−1 at four different particle sizes. X-ray and TEM measurements were done to determine crystal structure and size of the nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the Li0.5Co0.1Fe2.4O4 nanoparticles have an order phase spinel structure without any impurity. The size of the nanocrystal was calculated through XRD patterns and TEM micrographs and it turns out to be 34–42 nm. The Raman spectra of each size nanoparticles show five Raman bands. The most intense Raman band shows a noticeable asymmetrical feature towards lower wavenumber side. A line shape analysis was performed to get the exact spectral parameters of the Raman bands. The intensity of asymmetrical feature keeps on increasing with decreasing the particle size from 42 nm to 34 nm and finally evolved as a new Raman band. The appearance of new band and its intensity response relative to the intensity of the main Raman band as a function of particle size has been explained in terms of electron–phonon coupling. It was observed that the strength of electron–phonon coupling goes on increasing with reducing the particle size. The red shifting of the Raman bands upon reducing the crystalline size is explained in terms of the lattice expansion, which is well supported by the XRD data.