Single Step Synthesis and Characterization of ZnAl2O4 Nanoparticles

Abstract

Zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4) has proved to be a potential candidate in many areas such as catalysis, display panels, pigments in paints, radiation dosimetry, luminescence etc. Here, we report the solution combustion synthesis & spectroscopic studies of ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles. Urea (fuel) and metal nitrates (oxidizer) were taken in stoichiometric ratio at 1:1. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the as-prepared and annealed samples showed all reflection planes pertaining to ZnAl2O4. However, a weak intensity peak of secondary phase was also observed at 2 theta value of 34.5 degrees, which correspond to the diffraction plane (002) of ZnO. This phase was found to disappear after annealing the sample at 1000 degrees C for 1 hour. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also inferred the formation of ZnAl2O4. Photoluminescence measurements carried out on samples at excitation wavelength of 345 nm showed that ZnAl2O4 is an efficient luminescent material with emission in violet region of visible spectra.