Effect of sintering temperature on structural and optical properties of magnesium aluminate spinel.

Magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl₂O₄) (MAO) was fabricated by sol–gel process and sintered at a temperature ranging from 700 to 1400 °C. The phase development of MAO was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy. The XRD data confirms the formation of MAO spinel. FTIR analysis matches well with XRD data. The obtained results show that the optimized phase and morphology of the prepared nanoparticles were achieved at 1100 °C. The optical behavior of MAO was investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV–Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Down-conversion energy transition from UV to visible light had been studied with three different excitations, 351 nm, 395 nm, and 405 nm. The material's color purity and CIE coordinates indicate that it is ideal for optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]