Thermal and spectroscopic properties of the nano-system (ZnO(1−x)SiO2(x))

•Structural and thermal properties of the nano-matrix are characterized by various techniques.•X-ray analysis of the different systems of ZnO(1−x)SiO2(x) and the detailed crystal parameters are tabulated.•The morphology of ZnO(1−x)SiO2(x) was carefully investigated by SEM and EDAX measurements.

Structural and thermal properties of the investigated nano-matrix ZnO(1−x)SiO2(x) samples were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). IR spectroscopic analysis in the frequency range 400–4000 cm−1 is used here to investigate the new nano-system at room temperature. The variation of enthalpy (ΔH) with the concentration of SiO2 nanoparticles for the five systems of the ZnO(1−x)SiO2(x) matrix is determined. Seven different fundamental modes have been investigated. All of the vibrations of the investigated nano-system (ZnO(1−x)SiO2(x)) were found to be 449 cm−1, 469 cm−1, 798 cm−1, 959 cm−1, 1096 cm−1, 1630 cm−1 and 3447 cm−1 correspond to normal vibrations of stretching mode of ZnO, Si – O – Si or O – Si – O bending mode, Si – O – Si symmetric stretching, vibrational mode of Si–O – Zn, Si – O – Si asymmetric stretching, bending vibration mode of adsorbed water and stretching vibration of OH group respectively in which the variations strongly support the variation of ZnO and SiO2 nanoparticles concentration in the studied matrix. Measurements and interpretation of IR spectra as a function of ZnO and SiO2 nanoparticles concentration is reported.

Graphical abstractSEM micrographs of a) pure ZnO. b) (ZnO)0.75(SiO2)0.25. c) (ZnO)0.50(SiO2)0.50. d) (ZnO)0.25(SiO2)0.75. e) pure SiO2 in powder form.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide