Synthesis, Structural and Electrical Properties of FeCl₃-Doped Molybdenum and Vanadium Oxides Films

Abstract

A sol–gel method (colloidal route) based on V₂O₅.nH₂O hydrogel was developed to synthesize xFeCl₃-(80-x)V₂O₅-20MoO₃.nH₂O (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 3 mol.%) material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), density, thermoelectric power, and electrical properties of the films as prepared were investigated. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to identify the structure of the obtained nanocrystals. Homogenous nanocrystals of 40 nm in size were obtained. Electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power were measured in the temperature range 385–500 K for the as-prepared films. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing FeCl₃content. The obtained results showed by increasing FeCl₃content in the system under investigation, gradual changes in thermoelectric power from n-type to p-type were detected. The sol–gel method is fit for the preparation of x FeCl₃-(80-x)V₂O₅-20MoO₃.nH₂O material which may offer some favorable properties for commercial application.