Preparation and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles using functionalized SBA-15 with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) as a host

The functionalized SBA-15 with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) was used as a host for chelation of Zn2+ from ethanol solution. The sample was calcinated at 773 and 873 K for incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into channels of SBA-15. The structural and elemental composition analyses of the material were characterized by the SAXRD, XRD, atomic absorption analysis and FTIR. The UV-Vis spectra of the samples which calcinated at 773 and 873K were recorded. The UV (380 nm) that is the intrinsic photoluminescence emission of ZnO crystallites and also visible (421 nm) photoluminescence (PL) bands at 773 and 873 K were detected which attributed to the defects that are related to the anionic oxygen vacancies. The marked blue shift in the absorption band and UV fluorescence are ascribed to the quantume size effects.