Stoichiometric
and nonstoichiometric cadmium gallate (gallium-rich)
samples have been synthesized by a modified epoxide gel method. Cubic
spinel arrangement was inferred for stoichiometric and gallium-rich
compositions from powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Complete structural
analysis employing Raman spectroscopy has been carried out to find
the intricate differences between these two samples. Additional evidence
for the cubic symmetry and elemental ratio of these samples has been
gathered using microscopy techniques and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis.
Li+ substitution for Cd2+ in gallium-rich spinel
was examined, and up to 60 mol % of Cd2+ could be substituted
with Li+, retaining the spinel arrangement. The introduction
of lithium led to a decrease in cubic lattice parameter. Changes in
the vibration modes upon lithium substitution were analyzed by Fourier
transform infrared and Raman spectral measurements. The band gap value
was found to increase with increase in lithium content, indicative
of the Burstein–Moss effect in this system. Oxygen vacancies
created as a result of lithium substitution was further examined by
oxygen-ion conductivity (493–773 K) and dielectric spectroscopic
measurements (100–400 K). The estimated activation energy,
from these measurements, suggested major contribution of doubly ionized
oxygen vacancies to the conductivity in addition to lithium-ion mobility
in Li+-substituted samples. A possible defect structure
operative in this system has been proposed. The catalytic role of
oxygen vacancies as defect centers has been favorably utilized for
the photodegradation of aqueous methylene blue dye solution.