Synthesis and characterization of NiO-ZnO nanocomposite by a cost efficient self-combustion technique

Abstract

Purpose: In this research work the nickel oxide incorporated zinc oxide nano compositewith various level of percentage such as (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) were synthesized usingcombustion processes. Fuel used for the combustion process is hexamine in this work.Oxidizing agents taken were the nitrates of zinc and nickel. These precursor nitrates wereheated with hexamine fuel to undergo combustion process.Design/methodology/approach: After combustion the particles were collected and heattreated to maintain the purity of the samples. XRD results were in well accordance withthe JCPDS data and the average crystalline sizes were in the range of 10~20 nm. UV-VISabsorbance results confirm the band gap in the visible region. With increase in concentrationof NiO in the composite red shifted from 320 nm to 374 nm. FTIR supports the presenceof Zn-O and Ni-O bonds by the characteristic vibrational peaks at 432 cm-1 and 470 cm-1respectively. PL spectrum studies results in the redshift of ZnO peaks from 380 nm to 400 nmwith addition of Ni2+ ions inside the lattice. SEM and AFM studies reveals the morphologicaland topographical visualizations of the nanocomposite powders.Findings: In this research work, the authors had successfully synthesized Nickelsubstituted Zinc oxide by following simple combustion method followed by annealing. XRDanalysis clearly evidences the formation of ZnO in the hexagonal wurtzite structure with anaverage crystallite size of 15 nm to 18 nm. An increase in Nickel peaks in between the Zincoxide peaks were observed with increase in the nickel concentration in the composition.Practical implications: We conclude that combustion technique is suitable to fabricateNickel incorporated Zinc oxide particles with high purity. This powder can be used intransparent conducting thin flims for OLED applications.