Nanosized ZnO confined inside a Faujasite X zeolite matrix: Characterization and optical properties

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were introduced inside the porous structure of a Faujasite X zeolite via the impregnation method. N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to characterize the obtained nanocomposites ZnO/FAU. Textural and structural results showed that the presence of ZnO did affect the zeolite structure only when the ZnO precursor solution was quite concentrated. PL results reveal significant blue-shifted emission band which is attributed to quantum size effect (QSE).