Structural evolution of non-isothermally formed dysprosium sesquioxide nanoparticles and their optical and electrical conductivity properties

This paper describes the utilization of dysprosium acetate non-isothermal decomposition as a route for Dy2O3 nanoparticles preparation. Thermal events emerging during the heat treatment of dysprosium acetate was monitored using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The structural properties of the various solids obtained at the temperature range of 200-900 °C were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). It was found that 700 °C adequate for both the complete precursor decomposition and the crystallization process of the desired Dy2O3 nanoparticles. The morphology of the obtained Dy2O3 nanoparticles was examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photo Luminescence (PL) was used for investigating the optical features of the obtained Dy2O3 nanoparticles. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of these nanoparticles has been investigated in the temperature range of 200-500 °C.