The effect of various fuels on the yield, structural and optical properties zinc zirconate nanocomposite
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The effect of various fuels on the yield, structural and optical properties zinc zirconate nanocomposite M. K. Musembi1,2 · F. B. Dejene1 · I. Ahemen1,3 · K. G. Tshabalala1 Received: 7 May 2020 / Accepted: 6 July 2020 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Various types of fuels were used in a low-temperature solution combustion synthesis of zinc zirconate nanocomposite at a pH of 7. In the synthesis, the fuels used were citric acid, glycine, urea, hydrazine hydrate, and ammonium nitrate while zirconium butoxide and zinc nitrate were the precursor sources of Zr4+ and Z n2+ ions, respectively. The samples were calcined for 2 h at a temperature of 600 °C. The study of the structural properties showed varied morphologies ranging from highly agglomerated surfaces, crystalline aggregates as well as nanorods. There was a gradual growth of zinc zirconate perovskite within phases of zirconia and zinc oxide. It was observed that there were prominent photoluminescence emissions spread from violet-blue into the yellow-white regions with peaks varying from about 400 to 490 nm. The energy bandgap of the nanocomposites was between 2.93 and 3.22 eV depending on the fuel used in the preparation of the sample. Keywords Nanocomposite · Stoichiometric fuel ratio · Zinc zirconate · Solution combustion synthesis · Perovskite
1 Introduction Nanomaterials have unique surface features such as large surface area-volume ratios arising from their reduced crystallite sizes accompanied by extra energy of the surface and densification of the material. These surface characteristics have resulted into unique properties which have generated a lot of interest among scientists [1–3]. Nanocomposite materials exhibit a combination of properties inherent in the individual constituent compounds. Quite often, these properties are more enhanced than those of the individual compounds of the composite and are usually dominated more by the interface or interphase characteristics. It has been observed that there is easy and perfect growth of multiple phases in a nanocomposite when the phases are miscible because of the free diffusion into each other [3–5].
* M. K. Musembi [email protected] 1
Department of Physics, University of the Free State (QwaQwa campus) Private Bag, X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa
2
Department of Physical Sciences, Machakos University, Machakos, Kenya
3
University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
With promising results, scientists have made great efforts in the exploration of various ways of synthesizing nanocomposites, though the traditional mixing and milling methods have still remained the most prominent technologies for the synthesis of single and multiple phase nanocomposite powders at industrial level [3]. Factors that influence the choice and viability of a synthesis route are the type of product needed ( e.g. powder, film), the method’s simplicity, safety, cost, and rate of production as well as the possibility of large-scale production [6, 7]. Solution combustion s
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