Nanoarhitectonics of Inorganic-Organic Silica-Benzil Composites: Synthesis, Nanocrystal Morphology and Micro-Raman Analysis

• Published in: Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-06, Vol.13 (13), p.1913
• Main Authors: Shchur, Yaroslav, Bendak, Andrii, Beltramo, Guillermo, Andrushchak, Anatoliy S, Vitusevich, Svetlana, Pustovyj, Denys, Sahraoui, Bouchta, Slyvka, Yurii, Kityk, Andriy V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: (C6H5CO)2; Analysis; Benzil; Brillouin zones; Chemical synthesis; Composite materials; Crystal lattices; Crystallization; Crystals; density functional theory; Diffraction; Dynamic stability; Dynamic structural analysis; Electron microscopy; Etching; Information storage; Mechanical properties; Membranes; mesoporous SiO2; Methods; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Nanocrystals; Nanoparticles; Optical frequency; Organic compounds; organic–inorganic nanocomposites; phonon; Physical properties; Quantum dots; Raman scattering; Raman spectroscopy; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Structure; Synthesis; Transmission electron microscopy; X-ray diffraction; X-rays
• ISSN: 2079-4991; 2079-4991
• DOI: 10.3390/nano13131913

The synthesis of nanosized organic benzil (C6H5CO)2 crystals within the mesoporous SiO2 host matrix was investigated via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and lattice dynamics analysis. Combining these methods, we have proved that the main structural properties of benzil nanocrystals embedded into SiO2 host membranes with pore diameters of 6.0, 7.8, 9.4, and 13.0 nm are preserved compared to a bulk benzil crystal. Space confinement has an insignificant impact on the lattice vibrational properties of benzil crystals implanted into the host matrices. The lattice dynamics calculation of the phonon spectrum in the Brillouin zone center shows the mechanical and dynamical stability of benzil lattice, revealing very low optical frequency of 11 cm-1 at point Γ.