Simple solvothermal synthesis of a novel Er3+ and Nd3+ doped Sr2As2O7 nanomaterials and investigation of catalytic performance for synthesis of organic compounds

Doping some lanthanide ions into Sr2As2O7 crystal system is reported for the first time by a simple solvothermal method using Sr(NO3)2, As2O3, Er2O3 and Nd2O3 compounds. Characterization of the as-synthesized nanomaterials is done by powder X-ray (PXRD) analysis. Rietveld analysis data confirmed that the synthesized materials were crystallized in a mixture of three crystal phases. FESEM images revealed that dopant ion type had a considerable effect on the morphology of the final product. The data showed that the morphology of the synthesized materials were comb-like structure and particle. Direct band gap energy (Eg) of the materials obtained using ultraviolet-visible spectra showed that the Eg was about 3.5 eV. The synthesized nanomaterials were used as catalyst in the Biginelli reactions. The data confirmed that the materials could behave as Lewis acid catalyst in the reactions. The catalytic performance of the synthesized sample was 92% when the catalyst amount was 0.03 g, reaction temperature was 90 °C and the reaction time was 100 min.