Structural integrity and optical properties of MgO nanoparticles synthesized via solution combustion

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a wide band-gap ceramic dielectric material with significant potential in various industrial and technological applications. In this study, MgO nanoparticles were synthesized using the Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) method. The structural properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were analysed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) from which average crystallite size, calculated using the Scherrer equation, was found to be 24.76 ± 2.11 nm. Williamson–Hall (W–H) analysis was employed to determine the crystallite size, microstrain, and residual stress. The Texture Coefficient (TC) was also evaluated to quantify the preferred orientation of crystal planes. Morphological studies done using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed a highly porous surface morphology with irregularly shaped, agglomerated particles. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that the nanoparticles were predominantly spherical, with some slightly faceted structures. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) identified strong physical adsorption bands corresponding to H₂O and CO₂, indicating ultrafine particle behaviour. Optical properties were studied using UV–Vis spectroscopy. Band gap values obtained from both the Tauc plot (4.92 eV) and the Kubelka–Munk function (4.88 eV) were found to be comparable. • MgO Nanoparticles were synthesized via Solution Combustion Method (SCS). • Crystallite size and structural integrity analysed using Scherrer and Williamson-Hall methods. • Stress- Strain behaviour was assessed using UDM, USDM and USDEM models to assess lattice deformation effects. • Low dislocation density approves the improved crystallinity. • XRD,TEM and FTIR confirm nanoscale spherical MgO particles and Mg-O bonding.