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CHEM01200604004 Shri Sanyasinaidu Boddu - Homi Bhabha ...

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CHAPTER 5: Zinc gallate (ZnGa 2 O 4 )<br />

5.1. Introduction: Zinc gallate (ZnGa 2 O 4 ) belongs to the class of inorganic compounds<br />

having spinel structure. It crystallises in cubic structure with a space group of Fd3m [247].<br />

ZnGa 2 O 4 is an insulator with a band gap of 4.4 eV and has potential applications as materials<br />

for low voltage field emission displays (FEDs), electro-luminescent devices (ELDs) and<br />

vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) [247-254]. ZnGa 2 O 4 exhibits higher chemical stability<br />

under high electric field and strong electron bombardment when compared with conventional<br />

sulfide based phosphors [251, 254]. Blue emission has been observed from ZnGa 2 O 4 and is<br />

due to a transition via a self-activation centre under UV or low voltage electron excitations<br />

[255]. The intensity and wavelength maximum corresponding to blue emission vary with the<br />

nature of dopants. For example detailed studies are available regarding the luminescent<br />

properties of ZnGa 2 O 4 when partially substituted with metal ions like Cd 2+ (for Zn 2+ ) and<br />

In 3+ (for Ga 3+ ) [ 256-258]. If nanoparticles of such luminescent materials are prepared with<br />

sufficient dispersability in organic solvents, then polymer based luminescent materials can be<br />

made out of them. Polymer based materials can be converted into devices by using cheap<br />

fabrication techniques. Primary requirement for incorporating nanoparticles in polymer<br />

matrix is to make them highly dispersible in organic solvents by stabilizing the nanoparticles<br />

with bulky organic ligands. However, such ligand-stabilised nanoparticles can be obtained<br />

only when the synthesis temperature is less than 250°C, so that as to prevent decomposition<br />

coordinated ligand. Hirano, et al. prepared ZnGa 2 O 4 nanoparticles at a relatively low<br />

temperature of 90°C from aqueous solution of ZnSO 4 and Ga 2 (SO 4 ) 3 by using precipitating<br />

agents like urea, aqueous ammonia and hexamethyl tetramine [248]. However, in this method<br />

ligand stabilization is difficult, as H 2 O being a solvent with low viscosity and poor<br />

coordinating characteristics does not prevent aggregation of the nanoparticles. Many methods<br />

are reported for the synthesis of ZnGa 2 O 4 nanomaterials in the form of nanowires, helical<br />

149

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