Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanocrystal Composites with High Surface Area Supported on Silica-Alumina Matrix by Sol-gel

In this paper، the microstructural characteristics of ternary ceramic powders Al2O3-SiO2-ZnO system prepared by sol-gel method، in order to increase surface area of ZnO nanocrystals supported on silica-alumina matrix، have been studied. Values of 20، 50 and 70 weight percents of zinc oxide with an equal weight ratio of SiO2-Al2O3، using simultaneous reaction of zinc nitrate (Zn(NO3) 2. 6H2O)، tetraethyl orthosilicate، (TEOS) and aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3) 3. 9H2O) were synthesized. The nanostructure of prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction، SEM/EDS and BET studies. The results showed that crystaline phase zinc oxide has been formed in amorphous silica-alumina matrix، which led to reducing zinc oxide particles size، preventaing of aglomeration and increasing specific surface.