In this study, thin composite films of a sol-gel Nb2O5 matrix doped with coal fly ash Na-X zeolites were deposited by the spin-coating method. Fly ash of lignite coal collected from the electrostatic precipitators of one of the biggest TPPs in Bulgaria was used as a raw material for obtaining zeolites. Zeolite Na-X was synthesized by ultrasonic-assisted double stage fusion-hydrothermal alkaline conversion of coal fly ash. In order to improve the optical quality and sensing properties of the deposited thin films, synthesized zeolites were wet-milled for 60, 120, and 540 s prior to film deposition. The surface morphology of zeolite powders was studied both by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, while their porosity was investigated by N2-physisorption. Refractive index, extinction coefficient, and thickness of the films were determined through fitting of their reflectance spectra. The sensing ability of thin films towards acetone vapors was tested by measuring the reflectance spectra prior to and during exposure to the analyte, and the change in the reflection coefficient ∆R of the films was calculated. The influence of milling time of zeolites on the sensing and optical properties of the films was assumed and confirmed.
Keywords: Nb2O5; acetone; coal fly ash zeolites; optical sensor; sensing; thin films.