Calcination effect to the physical and optical properties of Zn2SiO4 composite prepared by impregnation of ZnO on SiO2 amorphous nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, Zn2SiO4 composite-based ceramic was synthesised using amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles as a silicon source. The amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles which obtained from a simple precipitation process were mixed with aqueous zinc nitrate. Amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles were encapsulated by the zinc source in aqueous solution, dried, and subjected to calcination. The underwent calcination showed the changing of phases, morphology, and size with increased temperatures. During calcination, ZnO phase appeared at the beginning of heating temperature and Zn2SiO4 phase started to emerge at 800 °C onwards, as shown by XRD patterns. The optical band gap analysis of Zn12SiO4 composite was determined to be within the range of 3.12 to 3.19 eV. The diffusion of zinc ions into SiO2 nanoparticles with high surface area also reduced the phase formation temperature for Zn2SiO4, compared to a conventional solid state method. This optical characteristic is expected to be a potential candidate for phosphor materials in opto-electronic devices application.