A Comparative Study of the Structural and Optical Properties of Sol-gel Synthesized MgO Nanoparticles for Possible Applications

Authors

  • Obinna M. Duru Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
  • Obi Kingsley Echendu Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
  • F. C. Eze Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
  • C. A. Madu Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
  • J. C. Echewodo Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
  • S. J. Motloung Department of Physics (Qwagwa Campus), University of the Free State, Private Bag, X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa
  • A. U. Yimamu Department of Physics (Qwagwa Campus), University of the Free State, Private Bag, X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa

Keywords:

Magnesium oxide, Nanoparticle, Sol-gel, Precursor, Optical property

Abstract

This study presents the sol-gel synthesis of MgO using Mg(NO3)2.6H2O and MgCl2.H2O precursors. The as-synthesized MgO from both precursors were annealed at 800℃ for 2 hours to improve their quality. The annealed samples were analyzed employing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometry to evaluate how precursor type affects the structural and optical properties of MgO nanoparticles. XRD investigation indicated a polycrystalline cubic structure of MgO nanoparticles from both precursors, with preferred orientation in the (210) plane for the chloride-derived sample and in the (200) plane for the nitrate-derived sample. The estimated average crystallite size of MgO from the chloride is approximately twice that from the nitrate, with specific values of ~15 nm and ~7 nm respectively. UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry revealed that the band gap energies of the MgO from both salts were similar, with specific values of 5.69 eV and 5.75 eV for the nitrate-derived sample and the chloride-derived sample, respectively.

Author Biographies

Obi Kingsley Echendu, Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria

Secondary Affiliation:
Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS), Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526 Owerri, Nigeria

C. A. Madu, Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria

Secondary Affiliation:
Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS), Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526 Owerri, Nigeria.

A. U. Yimamu, Department of Physics (Qwagwa Campus), University of the Free State, Private Bag, X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa

Secondary Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

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2025-11-04

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[1]
O. M. Duru, “A Comparative Study of the Structural and Optical Properties of Sol-gel Synthesized MgO Nanoparticles for Possible Applications”, J.Nano & Mat. Sc. Res, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 36–43, Nov. 2025.

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Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Special Issue: Thin Film Materials in Energy Conversion and Storage: Past, Present and Future

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