Physical characterization of BiFeO ₃ ‐based thin films with enhanced properties for photovoltaic applications

The present paper reports the multifunctional properties of lead-free BiFeO3–La (BFO–La) thin films. structural, microstructural, and optical have been investigated as a function lanthanum doping concentration. structural at room temperature showed formation perovskite structure, thus suggesting high quality obtained film compositions. Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed slight variation in both peak position absolute intensity for active modes, content increases BiFeO3–La. Crystallized films with well-defined grains well crack-free surfaces obtained, all studied compositions, inferred from atomic force microscopy images. measured, values direct bandgap was significantly lower than those reported other BFO-based systems, being lowest ∼1.87 eV Bi0.90La0.10FeO3 composition. Results noteworthy effect defect concentrations induced by on long-range crystallinity directly affecting polarizability A–O bond Fe–O Fe–O–Fe lengths structure. enhanced absorption registered Bi1–xLaxFeO3 (x = 0–20) compositions make these multiferroic potential candidate material high-performance photovoltaic device applications.