Synthesis and physical investigation of Al doped <scp>La₂O₃</scp> thin films for wettability applications

Abstract

Abstract In this work, aluminum doped La 2 O 3 thin films deposited by the spray pyrolysis technique, are investigated by many characterization techniques. First, XRD spectra reveal the presence of two phases. A dominant cubic phase is obtained for pure La 2 O 3 with (220) preferential orientation. The second hexagonal phase with (004) orientation is present in all doped samples. It is found that Al doping induces a perovskite crystalline structure identified as lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO 3 ). Second, FTIR spectra include the main peaks of La‐O bonds related to La 2 O 3 structure. Photoluminescence (PL) shows a good enhancement by Al doping related to LaAlO 3 nanoparticles. Finally, the surface wettability measurements corroborate the hydrophobic character of all doped samples.