Synthesis and characterization of ceramic nanocomposite thin films SiO2-NiO for gas sensing
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Department of Ceramics Engineering and Building Materials, University of Babylon, 964 Babylon, Iraq
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Kutaiba Al-Marzoki
Department of Ceramics Engineering and Building Materials, University of Babylon, 964 Babylon, Iraq
Adv. Sci. Technol. Res. J. 2025; 19(2):357-364
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ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the preparation and characterization of thin films of SiO₂-NiO ceramic nanocomposite. These films were synthesized using the sol-gel method and deposited onto a quartz substrate through spin coating after hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment for the glass substrate. The films synthesized using 70% SiO2-30% NiO mole ratio. Subsequently calcined at three different temperatures: 500°C, 700°C, and 900°C. The diagram of X-ray Diffraction (XRD) revealed the presence of large quantities of semiconductor NiO at 2θ= 37.4°, 62.8°, 75.5°, and 79.4° in addition to the presence of SiO2 in the structure, at 2θ=43.3°. The surface properties were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The test results demonstrated structural and surface properties compatible with the requirements of sensing applications. FT-IR spectra shows absorption bands of Si-O-Si, Ni-O and O-H. This coating has shown good sensitivity and effective response toward ammonia gas under various measurement conditions, including temperatures ranging from 50 to 200°C. The film calcinated at 500 °C exhibited high sensitivity to NH3 gas at room temperature due to the presence of hydroxyl groups (OH-), which increased its ability to adsorb the gas. Additionally, the film calcinated at 900 °C showed even higher sensitivity compared to the film calcinated at 700 °C.