A comprehensive physicochemical, thermal, and spectroscopic characterization of zinc (II) chloride using X-ray diffraction, particle size distribution, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet-visible, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy
Abstract
Objective: Zinc chloride is a significant inorganic compound used as a source of zinc, with numerous industrial applications. However, it lacks comprehensive and reliable data on its physicochemical, thermal, and spectral properties. This study aims to provide an in-depth characterization of zinc chloride using modern analytical techniques.
Materials and Methods: Zinc chloride was analyzed using a range of advanced techniques: powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), particle size distribution analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Results: The PXRD patterns exhibited well-defined, narrow, and sharp peaks, with crystallite sizes ranging from 14.70 to 55.40 nm and an average size of 41.34 nm. The particle size distribution showed average values of 1.123 μm (d10), 3.025 μm (d50), and 6.712 μm (d90), with an average surface area of 2.71 m²/g. The span and relative span values were 5.849 μm and 1.93, respectively. The DSC thermogram revealed a small endothermic peak at 308.10°C, with a latent heat of fusion (ΔH) of 28.52 J/g, and an exothermic reaction at 449.32°C, corresponding to a decomposition ΔH of 66.10 J/g. TGA analysis indicated two stages of thermal degradation, with weight losses of 8.207% in the first step and 89.72% in the second. The DTG analysis showed a maximum degradation temperature (Tmax) of 508.21°C. The UV-Vis spectrum revealed a peak at 197.60 nm (λmax), and the FT-IR spectrum showed a peak at 511 cm⁻¹, likely due to Zn-Cl stretching.
Conclusions: The detailed and comprehensive data provided in this study AT-527 are valuable for all stages of research and development in nutraceuticals/pharmaceuticals, as well as for various industrial applications.