OBRABOTKAMETALLOV MATERIAL SCIENCE Vol. 27 No. 3 2025 incorporation. These shifts are most likely due to lattice strain, resulting in smaller crystallite size and the creation of structural defects that increase surface area and water adsorption capacity [3]. Fig. 4 shows XRD patterns of different samples. Sample 1 (B-3K953) showed several peaks between 20° and 80° (2θ), with major peaks near 30°, 40°, and 50°, relating to ZnO and traces of impurities. Sample 2 (B-3K954) had sharper peaks, indicating better crystallinity. Sample 3 (B-3K955) had intermediate crystallinity. All the samples consisted of mostly the ZnO phase, while peak width and intensity variations were due to variations in crystallinity due to doping and processing conditions [3]. FTIR spectra verified the inclusion of NGM within the ZnO matrix Fig. 5. A typical Zn–O stretching vibration around 450 cm−1 ensured the presence of ZnO. Peaks around 1,570 cm−1 (C=C) and 1,730 cm⁻¹ (C=O) ensured the occurrence of carbon-containing functional groups in NGM. Abroad band around ~3,400 cm−1 indicated O–H stretching, due to hydroxyl groups, responsible for adsorption of water. a b c d Fig. 3. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of ZnO nanoparticles at different magnifications: a – 10,000×; b – 20,000×; c – 30,000×; d – 2,500× a b c d Fig. 4. XRD patterns of (a) pure ZnO, (b) ZnO–NGM Sample 1, (c) Sample 2, and (d) Sample 3
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