In this study, Zn2SiO4 composite-based ceramic was synthesised using amorphous SiO2
nanoparticles as a silicon source. Different ratios of Zn:Si were prepared by mixing amorphous
SiO2 nanoparticles with aqueous zinc nitrate. Amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles were
encapsulated by the zinc source in aqueous solution, dried, and subjected to heat treatment.
The heat treatment underwent by the amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles, with zinc source mixture,
showed the changing of phases, morphology, and size with increased temperature. ZnO
phase appeared at the beginning of heat treatment and Zn2SiO4 phase started to emerge at
800◦C onwards, as shown by XRD patterns. The average crystallite size increases from 37
nm at 600 ◦C to 68 nm at 1000 ◦C. The spherical morphology was observed at 600 and 700
◦C, but at temperatures higher than 800 ◦C, the dumbbell or necking-like structures formed.
Optical band gap analysis of Zn2SiO4 composite was determined to be within the range of
3.12 ± 0.04 to 3.17 ± 0.04 eV. The photoluminescence of treated samples showed emission
peaks at 411 and 455 nm wavelengths from ZnOs blue band and at 528 nm wavelength from
Zn2SiO4
0
s green band. The diffusion of zinc ions into Zn2SiO4 composite with high surface
area will favour the diffusion at a much lower temperature compared to a conventional solid
state method.