Impact of aluminum incorporation on thin-structured iron oxide nanoparticles: A comprehensive study

Our research attempts to investigate how doping affects the characteristics of thin iron oxide (Fe2O3) layers doped with various concentrations of aluminum (Al). The structure, morphology, and optical characteristics of the films were examined and evaluated in function to the Al doping level; “1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%, respectively”. As indicated by several characterizations, Fe2O3 formation was confirmed as rhombohedral crystal system by X-ray diffraction, showing strong preferential orientation in one plane (104). Every peak observed in the un doped samples shows a continuous, slight shift towards lower values of < 2θ > with increasing aluminum “Al” doping levels. According to “AFM” data, as the doping ratio increases, the “grain size”, “roughness rate”, and “root mean square” all increase. The UV spectrum was analyzed to detect the optical properties. Al-doped Fe2O3 thin films exhibited lower optical absorption than pure film. On the other hand, the bandgap decreased in the range of (2.31−2.2) eV with increasing Al content. As well as an increase in aluminum concentration is accompanied by increases in the “coefficient of absorption and extinction, refraction index”.