ZnO/ZnAl 2 O 4 Nanocomposite Films Studied by X-Ray Diffraction, FTIR, and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

ZnO/ZnAl 2 O 4 nanocomposite films were synthesised by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) by extracting Al 2 O(SO 4 ) 2 oxide with zinc chloride hydrate in deionised water. The sample was then subjected to heat treatment at 650°C and 700°C for 1 h, which led to the formation of the spinel oxide (ZnAl 2 O 4 ) and wurtzite (ZnO) phases. Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·18H 2 O salt was transformed into aluminum oxide sulfate Al 2 O(SO 4 ) 2 , which is an intermediary decomposition product, by calcination at 795°C for 3 h. The structures of the synthesised ZnO/ZnAl 2 O 4 films were confirmed by XRD, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS spectra of the major Zn, Al, and O photoelectron lines and the major X-ray induced Zn LMM Auger lines for ZnO/ZnAl 2 O 4 are presented.