Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Optical Absorption and Band Gap Reduction in (Fe 1–x Cr x ) 2 O 3 Solid Solutions: A First-Principles Study

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry. C
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp407496w· OSTI ID:1114897
We provide a detailed theoretical analysis of the character of optical transitions and band gap reduction in (Fe1-xCrx)2O3 solid solutions using extensive periodic model and embedded cluster calculations. Optical absorption bands for x = 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 are assigned on the basis of timedependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. A band-gap reduction of as much as 0.7 eV with respect to that of pure α-Fe2O3 is found. This result can be attributed to predominantly two effects: (i) the higher valence band edge for x ≈ 0.5, as compared to those in pure α-Fe2O3 and α-Cr2O3, and, (ii) the appearance of Cr α Fe d–d transitions in the solid solutions. Broadening of the valence band due to hybridization of the O 2p states with Fe and Cr 3d states also contributes to band gap reduction.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1114897
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-94739; 44701; KC0304030
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry. C Journal Issue: 48 Vol. 117; ISSN 1932-7447
Publisher:
American Chemical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Electronic structure and optical properties of α-(Fe1-xVx)2O3 solid-solution thin films
Journal Article · Sun Jan 25 19:00:00 EST 2015 · Applied Physics Letters, 106(4):041905 · OSTI ID:1184902

Effect of doping and chemical ordering on the optoelectronic properties of complex oxides: Fe 2 O 3 –V 2 O 3 solid solutions and hetero-structures
Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2016 · Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP (Print) · OSTI ID:1339801

Built-In Potential in Fe 2 O 3 -Cr 2 O 3 Superlattices for Improved Photoexcited Carrier Separation
Journal Article · Wed Dec 16 23:00:00 EST 2015 · Advanced Materials · OSTI ID:1252837