Using Raman and dielectric spectroscopy to elucidate the spin phonon and magnetoelectric coupling in DyCrO3 nanoplatelets

Abstract

In this study, we report the phonon-mode assignment of DyCrO₃ nanoplatelets by Raman spectroscopy. The temperature dependent Raman studies indicate the shift in the phonon frequency of most intense modes of DyCrO₃ and the observed change in Raman line-width is correlated with the spin–phonon coupling. The impedance spectroscopy reveals anomalies in the dielectric constant vs. temperature curve in the proximity of the magnetic transitions, thereby hinting towards possible weak magnetoelectric coupling in DyCrO₃ nanoplatelets. For the first time, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and photocatalytic activity of DyCrO₃ nanoplatelets have been reported. The optical absorption spectrum gives the band gap ∼2.8 eV for DyCrO₃ nanoplatelets suggesting them as a good candidate for studying photocatalytic activity. The DyCrO₃ nanoplatelets showed an efficient photocatalytic activity by degrading 65% methyl orange after 8 h irradiation.