Facile hydrothermal-assisted synthesis of Gd³⁺ doped PbI₂ nanostructures and their characterization

Lead iodide (PbI₂) nanostructures with different Gadolinium concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) have been fabricated by cost effective hydrothermal route at low temperature. The fabrication of well aligned nanorods of diameter about 100 nm and nanosheets of thickness about 10 nm were confirmed from SEM analysis. The structural and vibrational studies confirm the dominant nature as 2H polytypic PbI₂ of the fabricated nanostructures. The existence of Gd³⁺ doping was confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy study. The clear blue shift of wavelength or enhancement in the band gap was observed due confinement effect as well as Gd³⁺ doping. The dielectric constant was found to be reduced with doping however its value is still higher than bulk value.