<p>A comprehensive investigation of the semiconductor–metal–semiconductor-like transition (SMST) in LaFeO<sub>3</sub> nanoceramics, synthesized via a modified sol–gel auto-combustion method, was conducted at low temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fracture surface reveals a porous microstructure with an average grain size of approximately 60&#xa0;nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the presence of Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Fe<sup>3+</sup>, and Fe<sup>4+</sup> ions and oxygen vacancies in the LaFeO<sub>3</sub> matrix. Impedance analysis indicates that the observed SMST behavior is associated with valence state transitions among Fe<sup>+3</sup>, Fe<sup>+2</sup>, and Fe<sup>+4</sup> ions. The Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts (KWW) parameter is less than unity, suggesting non-Debye-type relaxation, as supported by modulus spectroscopy. The temperature-dependent frequency exponent indicates that the conduction mechanism is governed by both correlated barrier hopping (CBH) and non-overlapping small polaron tunnelling (NSPT). A high dielectric constant in the low-frequency region confirms the dominant contribution of electrode polarization. Moreover, the temperature-dependent dielectric constant and tangent loss further validate the SMST behavior. This study uniquely demonstrates a semiconductor–metal–semiconductor-like transition (SMST) in LaFeO<sub>3</sub>, unveiling an unconventional electronic response that has not been previously reported, thereby suggesting its potential as a promising material for phase-change memory and related technologies.</p>

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Origin of Semiconductor–Metal–Semiconductor-Like Transition in LaFeO3

  • Sandeep Kumar,
  • Sesh Mani Yadav,
  • Satish Kumar Yadav,
  • Poonam Yadav,
  • Nilesh Chaurasiya,
  • Ankur Soam,
  • Kishor Kumar,
  • S. C. Sharma,
  • Patri Tirupathi,
  • Prashant Shahi,
  • Manindra Kumar,
  • Deepash Shekhar Saini

摘要

A comprehensive investigation of the semiconductor–metal–semiconductor-like transition (SMST) in LaFeO3 nanoceramics, synthesized via a modified sol–gel auto-combustion method, was conducted at low temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fracture surface reveals a porous microstructure with an average grain size of approximately 60 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the presence of Fe2+, Fe3+, and Fe4+ ions and oxygen vacancies in the LaFeO3 matrix. Impedance analysis indicates that the observed SMST behavior is associated with valence state transitions among Fe+3, Fe+2, and Fe+4 ions. The Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts (KWW) parameter is less than unity, suggesting non-Debye-type relaxation, as supported by modulus spectroscopy. The temperature-dependent frequency exponent indicates that the conduction mechanism is governed by both correlated barrier hopping (CBH) and non-overlapping small polaron tunnelling (NSPT). A high dielectric constant in the low-frequency region confirms the dominant contribution of electrode polarization. Moreover, the temperature-dependent dielectric constant and tangent loss further validate the SMST behavior. This study uniquely demonstrates a semiconductor–metal–semiconductor-like transition (SMST) in LaFeO3, unveiling an unconventional electronic response that has not been previously reported, thereby suggesting its potential as a promising material for phase-change memory and related technologies.