Citation
Midala, Hamidu Ishaku
(2020)
Structural, morphological and optical properties of (ZnO)ₓ (ZrO2)ַ₁˗ₓnanocomposites prepared by thermal treatment method.
Masters thesis, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the constituents of nanomaterial that was
made from zinc nitrate, zirconia nitrate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, which is assumed as
classification of novel materials. The unique product obtained through the thermal
treatment process containing the zinc oxide and zirconia oxide nanocomposites as well as
organic polymer. This product possesses better characteristics as compared to their nanosizes.
So, the binary oxide of the nanocomposite (Zinc oxide (ZnO)) x (Zirconia oxide
(ZrO2)) 1-x at constant concentration of 4g polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was calcined at
various temperature that was produced with thermal treatment process. Zinc and
Zirconium nitrates as well as PVP (capping agent) was used to produce nanocomposite
materials (ZnO) x (ZrO2)1-x s for x = 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 molarity. To ensure the best yield,
the characterization has been performed. Thermal analysis (TGA), gave the optimization
of the thermal treatment technique and show the appropriate temperature to carry out the
calcination process. The crystallinity of the sample was measured by using X – ray
diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis proved that
ZnO and ZrO2 were the original compounds for the prepared nanocomposite (ZnO) X
(ZrO2) 1-X. However, the morphological characterization was determined via scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and were
supported by XRD results. It showed the increment of the average sample sizes from 21
– 40 nm due to the increment of calcination temperature. Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy
(UV-Vis) determine the gap of optical path and decreased the values for both
nanocomposite ZnO and ZrO2. Photoluminescence (PL) displayed the increment of
intensity when the particle size was increased. The study also showed the application of
optical in the binary particle application with the wider nano size (ZnO)x (ZrO2)1-x as a
novel functional material. The varying calcination temperature has control over the
(ZnO)x (ZrO2)1-X particle sizes by the permission of this method, so the generation of
semiconductor materials with multiple band gap is possible. Detailed wavelengths of solar
energy can be captured by these materials, which can be an appropriate choice for
employment of solar cell applications.
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