ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Correlation between structure and optical properties of mixed zinc nickelorthophosphate nanoparticles synthesis by coprecipitation route

Meryem Moutataouia, Hind Lakhlifi, Houssin Khmaja, Halima El Harakati, Sophie Guillemet-Frisch, and Rachida El Ouatib

Laboratoire de Physique des Matériaux, Micro-Électronique, Automatique et Thermique (LPMAT), Faculty of Sciences Aïn Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

E-mail: moutataouia_meryem@yahoo.fr

Received: 24 February 2025  Accepted: 15 October 2025

Abstract:

In the field of materials chemistry, researchers are interested in finding new functions, which requires the synthesis and study of new crystal structures that represent the key to understanding and developing interesting properties. This study investigated the structural, morphological, elemental, spectroscopy and optical characterization of new crystallized solid solution Ni_1.5Zn_1.5(PO₄)₂ mixed orthophosphate material prepared by coprecipitation method. The obtained powder was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and colorimetric measurements (CIELab). The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Analysis of X-ray diffractograms shows the presence of pure phase crystallize in P2_1/n monoclinic system. The results obtained by IR spectroscopy showed the existence of symmetrical and asymmetrical vibrations of P–O, P–O–P bonds and (PO₄) groups in the prepared lattice. SEM analysis of Ni_1.5Zn_1.5(PO₄)₂ orthophosphates shows a floral structure consisting of spherical sized grains linked together forming particles in the form of leaves. The UV–Vis results show the presence of two gap energies Eg1 and Eg2 confirming the coexistence of two structures forming a homogeneous solid solution as found by the structural refinement results.

Keywords: Coprecipitation synthesis; Ni1.5Zn1.5(PO4)2; Solid solution; Structure refinement; Optical properties

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04456-z

Chemical Papers 80 (2) 1359–1369 (2026)