High-Throughput Synthesis and Characterization of High-Entropy Oxides for Photosensitive Applications

High entropy materials have been widely investigated in recent years for their possibility to tailor functional properties. Unique interactions due to the presence of multiple elements in a single-phase structure give way to properties not generally seen in their binary counterparts.<br/>Due to the inordinately large combinations available, the “trial and error” method becomes arduous while synthesising systems with four or more elements. A high-throughput approach to synthesising such systems can help fast-track this process by reducing the time and energy involved. This can be combined with characterisation techniques like XRD, SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy etc., to help shortlist potential candidates for further investigation.<br/>This talk focuses on the study of fluorite-type rare earth oxides with varying compositions of Ce, La, Pr, Sm, Y, Zr and Tb using the high-throughput approach to identify the impact of individual elements on the physical properties. The reversible tuning of their band gaps by changing the atmosphere and temperature of calcination was also examined. Further electrical and optical studies were conducted on a few chosen samples to compare their performance for potential photosensitive applications.