Cr3+ Doping Effects on Structural, Optical, and Morphological Characteristics of BaTiO3 Nanoparticles and Their Bioactive Behavior

Mamani Flores E.; Vera Barrios B.S.; Huillca Huillca J.C.; Chacaltana García J.A.; Polo Bravo C.A.; Nina Mendoza H.E.; Quispe Cohaila A.B.; Gamarra Gómez F.; Tamayo Calderón R.M.; Fora Quispe G.D.L.; Sacari Sacari E.J. · Crystals (2024) · DOI: 10.3390/cryst14110998

Resumen

This study investigates the effects of chromium (Cr3+) doping on BaTiO3 nanoparticles synthesized via the sol–gel route. X-ray diffraction confirms a Cr-induced cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition, with lattice parameters and crystallite size varying systematically with Cr3+ content. UV–visible spectroscopy reveals a monotonic decrease in bandgap energy from 3.168 eV (pure BaTiO3) to 2.604 eV (5% Cr3+-doped BaTiO3). Raman and FTIR spectroscopy elucidate structural distortions and vibrational mode alterations caused by Cr3+ incorporation. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy verify nanoscale morphology and successful Cr3+ doping (up to 1.64 atom%). Antioxidant activity, evaluated using the DPPH assay, shows stable radical scavenging for pure BaTiO3 (40.70–43.33%), with decreased activity at higher Cr3+ doping levels. Antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli peaks at 0.5% Cr3+ doping (10.569 mm inhibition zone at 1.5 mg/mL), decreasing at higher concentrations. This study demonstrates the tunability of structural, optical, and bioactive properties in Cr3+-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles, highlighting their potential as multifunctional materials for electronics, photocatalysis, and biomedical applications.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa; Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería; Universidad Nacional de Moquegua; Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann