Structural characterisation and electrical conductivity studies of BaMoO₄ nanorods prepared by modified acrylamide assisted sol–gel process

Abstract

Scheelite type BaMoO₄ nanorods have been synthesised by modified acrylamide assisted sol–gel process. The prepared samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman), scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. The crystalline phase and structure of the prepared samples were confirmed from the analysis of the obtained results of XRD, FTIR and FT-Raman respectively. The average crystallite size calculated using Scheeer’s formula and XRD data is found to be 98 nm. SEM images showed the formation one dimensional nanorods of diameter <300 nm. EDX spectra showed the existence of Ba, Mo and O elements of the prepared samples. From the TEM images, diameter and length of the rod are found to be 80 and 2070 nm respectively. The ac conductivities by impedance spectroscopy of the prepared BaMoO₄ samples were evaluated as a function of temperature ranging from 500 to 800°C in the air. The newly prepared BaMoO₄ nanorods showed electrical conductivity of 3·14×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹.

Keywords:

• Scheelite type
• Sol–gel processes
• Nanoscale structures
• Electrical conductivity

Acknowledgements

Dr N. Satyanarayana gratefully acknowledges BRNS, DST, UGC, AICTE, CSIR and DRDO Government of India, for receiving financial support in the form of major research projects. The authors would like to thank Central Instrumentation facility, Pondicherry University, for using FT-Raman, SEM-EDX and Malvern particle size analyser facilities.