Cr-substitution effect on structural, optical and electrical properties of CrxCe1−xPO4 (x = 0.00, 0.08, 0.10 and 0.20) nanorods

•CrxCe1−xPO4 (x = 0.00–0.20) nanorods were synthesized by hydrothermal method.•Mean crystallite size of the products decreases with Cr-content.•Obvious improvements of the electrical conductivity comparatively to CePO4.

CrxCe1−xPO4 (x = 0.00–0.20) nanorods were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD results revealed the formation of a pure CePO4 hexagonal phase. TEM images confirmed the nano-size character of the as-prepared samples. Impedance spectroscopy analysis was used to analyze the electrical behavior of samples as a function of frequency at different temperatures. The increase of Cr-amount led to an increase in the total conductivities and decreased the activation energies (Ea (x = 0.00) = 1.08 eV to Ea (x = 0.20) = 0.80 eV). The optical properties of CrxCe1−xPO4 nanomaterials were investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy. The band-gap energy values decreased with increasing Cr-content showing a red-shift trend. The improvement of the electrical conductivity and optical properties makes the CrxCe1−xPO4 nanomaterials possible candidates to be used as electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells, in photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications.

Graphical abstractThe CrxCe1−xPO4 (x = 0.00, 0.08, 0.10 and 0.20) nanorods synthesized under hydrothermal conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide