Characterization of ZnAl2O4 Spinel Obtained by Hydrothermal and Microwave Assisted Combustion Method: A Comparative Study

In this work, zinc aluminate spinel was prepared by two methods of directly synthesis (without calcination): microwave assisted combustion and hydrothermal method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2-adsorption/desorption isotherms. The XRD patterns confirmed the formation of cubic ZnAl2O4 spinel structure with no secondary phases for both synthesis routes, whereas the hydrothermal method yielded powders with crystallite size 3 times smaller (6.9 nm), as compared to the powders produced by microwave assisted combustion method (...