Optical properties of ZnAl2O4nanomaterials obtained by the hydrothermal method

Nanocrystalline zinc aluminate, ZnAl2O4, was obtained by the hydrothermal method. After hydrothermal treatment the samples were heated at different temperatures. The precursors used in the hydrothermal synthesis of ZnAl2O4 were zinc nitrate hexahydrate and aluminum nitrate nonahydrate. Sodium hydroxide was used as a basic source. The obtained samples were analyzed by x-ray diffraction. The optical properties of nanocrystalline zinc aluminate were also determined by photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation measurements taken with a conventional lamp as the excitation source and by UV/vis/NIR spectroscopy.