Synthesis and Microstructural Characterization of Al₂O₃-SiO₂-ZnO Composite

Abstract

The present work deals with the preparation and characterization of Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -ZnO composite under mid-temperature conditions via sol-gel method. The structural features of all the samples were assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The changes in the morphology and particle size of the as prepared composites were investigated. Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -ZnO composites with different amount of ZnO were prepared. The effect of temperature on the crystallization of Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -ZnO composites containing 70% ZnO was investigated. When the calcinations temperature increases up to 850 °C, broad peaks of ZnAl 2 O 4 with some impurities of Zn 2 SiO 4 was appeared. From SEM images it was revealed that Naiad structure is formed when the calcinations temperature is 500 °C.