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Enhanced Functional Properties of Sol-gel Derived ZnO-based Nanocomposite Thin Films Incorporating Ag, TiO2, and Graphene Nanoparticles

Received: 12 August 2025     Accepted: 21 August 2025     Published: 13 September 2025
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Abstract

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of ZnO-based nanocomposite thin films prepared by the sol-gel method associated with spin coating technique, with incorporation of silver (Ag), titanuim oxide (TiO2), and graphene nanoparticles as functional additive. The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of these nanoinclusions on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of ZnO thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm the retention of the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO, with additional reflections at 38,1°, 44,3°, and 64,4° attributed to Ag, 25,3° and 48 ° to anatase TiO2, and a broad peak near 26° to GO. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyse reveals enhanced grain connectivity and surface uniformity in composite films. UV-Vis spectroscopy indicates a tunable optical bandgap and improved transmittance in the visible range, especially for TiO2 and graphene-loaded films. Electrical measurements show a significant decrease in resistivity from 4,5*103 Ω.cm (ZnO) to 3,2*102 Ω.cm (ZnO-Ag), 1,7*102 Ω.cm in the ternary composite, with corresponding conductivity up to 5,9*10-3 S/cm and carrier mobility of 7,6 cm2/V.s in Ag and graphene-containing films, attributed to improved charge carrier mobility and percolation pathways. The multifunctional enhancement observed in these ZnO nanocomposites positions them as promising materials for transparent electrodes, photocatalytic devices, and UV photodetectors.

Published in International Journal of Materials Science and Applications (Volume 14, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12
Page(s) 192-199
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Zinc Oxide, Nanocomposites, Graphene Oxide, XRD, Titanium Oxide, Oxide UV-Vis, SEM

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Pilor, M., Hartiti, B., Ndiath, A. D., Diaw, A., Traore, P. T., et al. (2025). Enhanced Functional Properties of Sol-gel Derived ZnO-based Nanocomposite Thin Films Incorporating Ag, TiO2, and Graphene Nanoparticles. International Journal of Materials Science and Applications, 14(5), 192-199. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12

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    ACS Style

    Pilor, M.; Hartiti, B.; Ndiath, A. D.; Diaw, A.; Traore, P. T., et al. Enhanced Functional Properties of Sol-gel Derived ZnO-based Nanocomposite Thin Films Incorporating Ag, TiO2, and Graphene Nanoparticles. Int. J. Mater. Sci. Appl. 2025, 14(5), 192-199. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12

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    AMA Style

    Pilor M, Hartiti B, Ndiath AD, Diaw A, Traore PT, et al. Enhanced Functional Properties of Sol-gel Derived ZnO-based Nanocomposite Thin Films Incorporating Ag, TiO2, and Graphene Nanoparticles. Int J Mater Sci Appl. 2025;14(5):192-199. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12,
      author = {Modou Pilor and Bouchaib Hartiti and Awa Diattara Ndiath and Alassane Diaw and Papa Touty Traore and Bassirou Ba},
      title = {Enhanced Functional Properties of Sol-gel Derived ZnO-based Nanocomposite Thin Films Incorporating Ag, TiO2, and Graphene Nanoparticles
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Materials Science and Applications},
      volume = {14},
      number = {5},
      pages = {192-199},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmsa.20251405.12},
      abstract = {This study reports the synthesis and characterization of ZnO-based nanocomposite thin films prepared by the sol-gel method associated with spin coating technique, with incorporation of silver (Ag), titanuim oxide (TiO2), and graphene nanoparticles as functional additive. The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of these nanoinclusions on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of ZnO thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm the retention of the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO, with additional reflections at 38,1°, 44,3°, and 64,4° attributed to Ag, 25,3° and 48 ° to anatase TiO2, and a broad peak near 26° to GO. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyse reveals enhanced grain connectivity and surface uniformity in composite films. UV-Vis spectroscopy indicates a tunable optical bandgap and improved transmittance in the visible range, especially for TiO2 and graphene-loaded films. Electrical measurements show a significant decrease in resistivity from 4,5*103 Ω.cm (ZnO) to 3,2*102 Ω.cm (ZnO-Ag), 1,7*102 Ω.cm in the ternary composite, with corresponding conductivity up to 5,9*10-3 S/cm and carrier mobility of 7,6 cm2/V.s in Ag and graphene-containing films, attributed to improved charge carrier mobility and percolation pathways. The multifunctional enhancement observed in these ZnO nanocomposites positions them as promising materials for transparent electrodes, photocatalytic devices, and UV photodetectors.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Enhanced Functional Properties of Sol-gel Derived ZnO-based Nanocomposite Thin Films Incorporating Ag, TiO2, and Graphene Nanoparticles
    
    AU  - Modou Pilor
    AU  - Bouchaib Hartiti
    AU  - Awa Diattara Ndiath
    AU  - Alassane Diaw
    AU  - Papa Touty Traore
    AU  - Bassirou Ba
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    JF  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
    JO  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
    SP  - 192
    EP  - 199
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2327-2643
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251405.12
    AB  - This study reports the synthesis and characterization of ZnO-based nanocomposite thin films prepared by the sol-gel method associated with spin coating technique, with incorporation of silver (Ag), titanuim oxide (TiO2), and graphene nanoparticles as functional additive. The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of these nanoinclusions on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of ZnO thin films. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm the retention of the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO, with additional reflections at 38,1°, 44,3°, and 64,4° attributed to Ag, 25,3° and 48 ° to anatase TiO2, and a broad peak near 26° to GO. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyse reveals enhanced grain connectivity and surface uniformity in composite films. UV-Vis spectroscopy indicates a tunable optical bandgap and improved transmittance in the visible range, especially for TiO2 and graphene-loaded films. Electrical measurements show a significant decrease in resistivity from 4,5*103 Ω.cm (ZnO) to 3,2*102 Ω.cm (ZnO-Ag), 1,7*102 Ω.cm in the ternary composite, with corresponding conductivity up to 5,9*10-3 S/cm and carrier mobility of 7,6 cm2/V.s in Ag and graphene-containing films, attributed to improved charge carrier mobility and percolation pathways. The multifunctional enhancement observed in these ZnO nanocomposites positions them as promising materials for transparent electrodes, photocatalytic devices, and UV photodetectors.
    VL  - 14
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Author Information
  • LASES Laboratory of Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal; ERDyS Laboratory of FSTM, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Mohammedia, Morocco

  • ERDyS Laboratory of FSTM, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Mohammedia, Morocco

  • LASES Laboratory of Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

  • LASES Laboratory of Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

  • LASES Laboratory of Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

  • LASES Laboratory of Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

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