Structural characterization &, optical and electrical properties of LiGaO2 & LiGa5O8 micro-nanoparticles-based photodetectors

• LiGaO 2 and LiGa 5 O 8 micro-/nanostructures have been fabricated. • The LiGa 5 O 8 nanoparticles are easier to synthesize in the air. • The LiGaO 2 nanoparticles are more suitable for synthesis in the argon. • NIR emissions should be attributed to the Li ions in the lattice and the 2 S– 2 P 0 intra-ion transition of Li ions. • The optoelectronic properties of the nanoparticle-based photodetector have been investigated. Lithium gallium oxide (LiGaO 2 & LiGa 5 O 8 ) nanoparticles were successfully prepared through thermal evaporation method under the different atmospheric-conditions. The experimental results show that the LiGa 5 O 8 nanoparticles are easier to synthesize in the air, while the LiGaO 2 nanoparticles are more suitable for argon environment. The luminescence properties of LiGaO 2 & LiGa 5 O 8 nanoparticle-based photodetector show that the near-infrared emission is mainly owing to the defect level caused by Li ions in the lattice and the 2 S– 2 P 0 intra-ion transition of Li ions and the green-yellow emission is caused by intrinsic defects. The electrical properties of the LiGaO 2 & LiGa 5 O 8 nanoparticle-based photodetector indicate that the resistance value increases significantly in the case of illumination compared with dark conditions. The experimental results show that the nanoparticle-based photodetector is very sensitive to temperature change (24–40 °C).