“…As shown in Figure i, the FT-IR spectra of ZnO NPs and ZnOBt were compared, indicating the presence of bentonite and ZnO NPs in the intercalated nanocomposite. The composite showed the band location at around 1500–1350 cm –1 for N–H stretch of bentonite and at around 800–400 cm –1 for ZnO stretch. , The absorption in the region around 1574 cm –1 and band centered at 1132 cm –1 was related to the H–O–H bending vibration of water and siloxane (−Si–O–Si−) group stretching for bentonite. ,, The capping agent and stabilization of as-synthesized ZnO NPs may be due to the coordination of ZnO NPs with CO and −OH groups. , Other bands in the region between 1200 and 800 cm –1 were identified as Si–O–Al, Si–O–Si, and Al–OH–Mg peaks at 921.53, 1132.66, and 1574.23 in the ZnOBt nanocomposite. Thus, characterization revealed ZnOBt synthesized for prevented free release of supported Zn NPs into the environment, prevented agglomeration, and effective colorimetric AFs detection in the food matrix in this study.…”