Preparation of SiO2 Encapsulated ZnO Nanopowders by Sol-Gel Method
The shell-core structures of SiO2/ZnO nanopowders were obtained by simple two-step technique based on low-temperature crystallization from liquid phase. The influence of molar ratio of SiO2/ZnO in the reaction mixture on the morphology of obtained SiO2/ZnO nanopowders was studied. Crystalline structure of SiO2/ZnO nanocrystals obtained was proofed by the X-ray diffraction data. The average diameter of SiO2/ZnO nanocrystals was about 80~100nm according to FSEM and TEM data. It is shown that SiO2 components on the surface prevent the thermal interfusion of ZnO particles. Morphology and diameter of raw ZnO, SiO2/ZnO nanopowders prepared with molar ratio of SiO2/ZnO 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 were almost same. When molar ratio of SiO2/ZnO was 0.5, ZnO core was coated with SiO2, and the thickness of shell was about 10nm. At the same time, SiO2 nanocrystals also formed the islands structure.