Synthesis and physical investigation of Al doped La₂O₃ thin films for wettability applications

In this work, aluminum doped La2O3 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 La2O3 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 (LaAlO3). Second, FTIR spectra include the main peaks of La-O bonds related to La2O3 structure. Photoluminescence (PL) shows a good enhancement by Al doping related to LaAlO3 nanoparticles. Finally, the surface wettability measurements corroborate the hydrophobic character of all doped samples.