Structural analysis of potassium-doped calcium chromite (Ca_1−x K _x Cr₂O₄) nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel method

Abstract Doping of potassium in CaCr2O4 as Ca1−x K x Cr2O4 with x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8, using sol-gel technique, to see the structural changes in a regular and periodic variation of K-ions. XRD pattern shows a reduction in peak intensities of CaCr2O4 after potassium doping, principally owing to bonding with Alkali metal in heat treatment of Ca1−x K x Cr2O4. It revealed that active species might be confined in the non-crystalline phase, thus impeding their reactivity. XRD of grown samples show their cell parameters of hexagonal crystal symmetry. Morphology of samples in SEM, exhibited the introduction of potassium into the medium of transition metal oxide effects in the development of channeled or layered assemblies. Constituents of synthesized material [Ca1−x K x Cr2O4], presenting vibrational stretching of constituent elements as observed in Raman Spectra. The structure of doped sample is predicted favorable for energy storing devices, as having distortion (amorphous linings) in its crystal structure when compared to un doped one, that evident the novelty of this work.