Structural and Optical Properties of Nb2O5/SiO2 Powder Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

Powder form of Nb2O5/SiO2 were prepared by sol gel synthesis method. This paper evaluates the structural and optical porperties of Nb2O5/SiO2 powder prepared by sol-gel method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). In XRD pattern the synthesized sample presented mixed phases of Nb2O5 orthorhombic and Nb2O5 center dot nH(2)O, with particle size ranging from 30 to 40 nm which is well matched with result of the SEM. The FTIR spectroscopy provides the valuable information and identification of different chemical group/bonds present in the prepared samples. The formation of T- Nb2O5 orthorhombic took place upon calcination at 600 degrees C. By means of the developed procedure, the impact of sol ageing and annealing on the optical properties of Nb2O5/SiO2 are investigated. UV-Visible spectroscopy indicated the optical band gap value 3.10eV showing semiconducting nature of Nb2O5/SiO2 powder.