SYNTHESIS ZnAl2O4 NANOSIZED BY OXALYL DIHYDZAZIDE COMBUSTION METHOD AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES IN METHYLENE BLUE DECOMPOSITION REACTION

Abstract

Zinc aluminat (ZnAl₂O₄) nanoparticles were prepared by combustion method using  oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH) as fuel. The powder as prepared was annealed at four different temperatures (500^oC, 600^oC, 700^oC, 800^oC) for 2 hours. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X- ray (EDS), surface area measurements  (BET) have been used for characterization of the prepared samples. The process conditions such as solution pH, calcinations temperature, temperature gel formation are carefully controlled. The XRD patterns confirm the spinel structure of the samples. TEM, BET analysis of the final thermolysis product reveals the formation of monodisperse zinc aluminat nanoparticles with an average particle size under 20 nm and specific surface area is 47.9 m²/g. The catalytic activity of the ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles was investigated by the methylene blue decomposition reaction with H₂O₂.. The decomposition of methylene blue reaches 93.1% after 5 hours lighting.