LAUSR

Abstract Dysprosium (Dy) doped lead iodide (PbI2) nanostructures (Dy@PbI2 NSs) were facilely synthesized via microwave-assisted route for the first time and studied by state-of-art experimental tools. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy/scanning electron microscopy (EDX/SEM) elemental-mapping confirm the presence of Dy doping and its standardized dispersal in PbI2 and hexagonal shape nanosheets morphology along with fine nanoparticles was also confirmed. Monophasic hexagonal phase confirmation was carried out using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Rietveld refinement, which was further approved via vibrational analysis. The Scherrer rule was employed to determine the size, dislocations and strain in final products and the size was noted between 46 and 53 nm. The energy gap was evaluated for all Dy@PbI2 NSs and noticed to lie between 3.14 and 3.19 eV. Room temperature Photoluminescence emission (RTPLE) was recorded for all Dy@PbI2 NSs at excitation wavelength of 221 nm, which contains one shoulder and three major emission peaks at 455 ± 3 nm, 373 ± 2 nm, 469 ± 2 nm, 528 ± 5 nm. Both quenching and enhancement in PL intensity was observed with Dy doping. Detailed dielectric and electrical analyses were carried out and highest dielectric constant and conductivity was noted for 0.2 wt% Dy@PbI2 NSs. The outcomes indicated that the prepared Dy@PbI2 NSs are good contender for optoelectronics.