Thermal and structural studies of zinc zirconate nanoscale composite derived from sol-gel process The effects of heat-treatment on properties

In the present investigation, a novel synthetic zinc zirconate nanocomposites were prepared by a sol-gel technique using a very stable sol containing zirconium acetylacetonate, zinc acetate, monoethanolamine, and 1,3-propanediol as chelating agent. Thermal analysis results indicated that the decomposition of zinc zirconate precursors occurred at 225 and 234 A degrees C. The influence of thermal annealing (temperatures and duration) on their structural properties has been studied by means of X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy techniques. The results indicated that a higher percent of zinc zirconate is formed at 800 A degrees C and reached maximum at 1,000 A degrees C in 120 min. The morphology, composition, and bandgap properties of zinc zirconate nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and ultraviolet diffiuse reflectance. The SEM observation showed that average grain size of zinc zirconate nanopowders was 58 nm. The optical results revealed maximum absorbances at 394, 413, and 438 nm for ZnZrO3 sample annealed at 400, 800, and 900 A degrees C for 30 min, respectively. This is an indication that the nanopowder can absorb lights in the higher wavelength.