Al2O3:SiOC nanocomposites were synthesized by thermal treatment of fumed alumina nanoparticles modified by phenyltrimethoxysilane. The effect of annealing temperature in inert ambient on structure and photoluminescence of modified alumina powder was studied by IR spectroscopy as well as photoluminescence spectroscopy with ultraviolet and X-ray excitation. It is demonstrated that increase of annealing temperature results in formation of silica precipitates on the surface of alumina particles that is accompanied by development and spectral evolution of visible photoluminescence. These observations are discussed in terms of structural transformation of the surface of Al2O3 particles.
Keywords: Al2O3:SiOC nanocomposite; Fumed alumina; Phenyltrimethoxysilane; Photoluminescence.