Studies on optical absorption and photoluminescence of thioglycerol-stabilized ZnS nanoparticles

ZnS quantum dots of size 3 nm are prepared at 303 K using ZnSO₄ and Na₂S₂O₃ precursors with thioglycerol as stabilizing agent. Cd²⁺ doped ZnS were prepared by varying doping concentration from 1 to 8 wt.%. ZnS quantum dots were mixed with CdS quantum dots of size 4 nm in the 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 M ratio. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis, photoluminescence (PL), XRD and high-resolution TEM measurements. The XRD pattern, high-resolution TEM image and SAED pattern reveal that the nanoparticles are in well-crystallized cubic phase. The band gap of ZnS has increased from the bulk value 3.7 to 4.11 eV showing quantum size effect. Excitonic transition is observed at 274 nm in UV absorption and PL emission at 411 nm. Doping with Cd²⁺ red-shifts both UV and PL spectral bands and enhances the PL band of ZnS nanoparticles. Mixing CdS and ZnS quantum dots in different molar ratios shows red-shift of the band edge in the CdS/ZnS hybrid system. In the 1:1 hybrid system of CdS/ZnS nanoparticles, PL band is red-shifted and the intensity is almost doubled with respect to that of CdS nanoparticles.     

Structural,morphological, optical and electrical properties of CdS thin films simultaneously doped with magnesium and chlorine

CdS thin films simultaneously doped with Mg and Cl at different doping concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 at%) were prepared on glass substrates by spray pyrolysis technique using perfume atomizer at 400 °C. The effect of Mg and Cl doping concentration on the structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of the deposited films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy and dc electrical measurements, respectively. XRD analysis showed that the undoped and doped CdS films exhibit hexagonal structure with a preferential orientation along the (0 0 2) plane. The 2θ angle position of the (0 0 2) peak of the doped films was shifted towards a higher angle with increasing Mg and Cl concentration. The UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra of Mg and Cl doped thin films are measured and classical Tauc approach was employed to estimate their band gap energies. The increase in band gap energy from 2.46 to 2.73 eV with the reduction in crystallite size supports quantum size effect. Raman spectra implied that more defects existed in the doped samples. Electrical studies showed that all the films have resistivity in the order of 10¹ Ω-cm and the CdS film with 6 at% Mg and Cl concentration has a minimum resistivity of 1.332 × 10¹ Ω-cm.     

Synthesis of La3+ doped nanocrystalline ceria powder by urea–formaldehyde gel combustion route

Nanocrystalline ceria powders doped with various concentrations of lanthanum oxide have been prepared following gel combustion route using for the first time urea–formaldehyde as fuel. The synthesized products were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, PL and UV–vis spectroscopy. Peak positions of XRD were refined and the lattice parameters were obtained by applying Cohen's method. Unit cell parameter increases with concentration of La³⁺ ion and the variation is consistently linear. XRD calculations showed the dependence of crystallite size on dopant concentrations at lower level. TEM observation revealed unagglomerated particles to be single crystals in the average range of 20–30 nm. Band gap of the La³⁺ doped ceria materials does not change with doping. Spectroscopic experiments proved the existence of Ce³⁺ in the formed powder.     

A chemical synthesized Al-doped PbS nanoparticles hybrid composite for optical and electrical response

Structural, morphological, optical and electrical investigations of pure and Al-doped lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticles hybrid composite was synthesized by simple chemical route. The detail analysis of the nanoparticle morphology of hybrid composites through optical investigation, phase purity and crystalline size had been characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), photoluminescence (PL). The lower angle XRD results confirmed that the phase purity and average crystalline size of the pure and Al doped PbS nanoparticles were determined by using the Debye–Scherrer’s formula. The average grain sizes of the pure and the Al-doped PbS nanoparticles were calculated and found to be 22 and 16 nm respectively. Surface morphology analysis was carried out by using SEM and TEM analysis. The surface morphology of pure and Al doped PbS nanoparticles is without any pinholes or cracks and hence they appear to be densely packed with spherical shaped grains. The optical properties of pure and Al-doped PbS analyzed using UV–Vis. absorption spectroscopy and Photoluminiscence (PL) spectra. The band gap values for the pure and the Al-doped PbS nanoparticles were found to be 1.94 and 2.04 eV respectively. The dielectric properties of the Al-doped PbS nanoparticle composites typical response e.g. dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and AC conductivity were analyzed at various frequencies and temperatures.     

Influence of Mn impurity on formation of secondary phases and optical properties of ZnO NPs

ZnO:Mn nanoparticles with various Mn concentrations (1–7%) were synthesized by a simple chemical method at low temperature. Structural and optical properties of as synthesized samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis absorbance, and photoluminescence (PL) spectrophotometers, respectively. XRD patterns of the ZnO:Mn nanocrystals indicate that in low Mn concentrations (1 and 3%), the ZnMn₂O₄ nanoparticles are formed, whereas in high Mn concentrations (5 and 7%), more Mn atoms replace Zn atoms in crystalline lattice, so that Mn₃O₄ is formed. It is also found that the size of the ZnO:Mn nanocrystals increases from 7.82 to 76.07?nm with increasing Mn concentration from 1 to 7%. Band gap energy of the samples, calculated by extrapolation of (αhν)² versus hν curves, shows a decrease in band gap with increasing the Mn concentration from 1 to 7%. The size of nanoparticles calculated by effective mass approximation model is nearly in accordance with the one calculated by Scherrer formula. The PL spectra of low Mn concentration ZnO:Mn nanoparticles indicate a weak green emission which vanishes in highly Mn concentrated ZnO:Mn samples.     

Structural and optical characterization of CdS and CdHgTe thin films for the fabrication of CdHgTe/CdS structure

This article presents the deposition and characterization of CdS and CdHgTe thin films for the fabrication of CdHgTe/CdS structure. The growth of CdS and CdHgTe thin films on FTO-coated conducting glass substrates have been performed by chemical bath deposition (CBD) and electrodeposition methods, respectively. The deposition conditions have been optimized for getting better quality layers of CdS and CdHgTe. The grown layers of both CdS and CdHgTe have been characterized by photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–vis spectrophotometer. Annealing effect of the deposited films has also been investigated. Finally the fabrication of CdHgTe/CdS structure has been performed and investigated by I–V characteristics. PEC, XRD, SEM and UV–vis spectrophotometer studies reveal that chemically deposited CdS layers are n-type with band gap values vary from 2.29 to 2.41 eV and cubic with (111) preferential orientation, and have spherical grain distributed over the surface. However, electrodeposited CdHgTe layers are p-type with band gap values varying from 1.50 to 1.53 eV and cubic with highly oriented CdHgTe crystallites with the (111) planes parallel to the substrate, and have uniform distribution of granular grains over the surface. The fabricated CdHgTe/CdS structure gave an open-circuit photovoltage and a short-circuit photocurrent of 510 mV and 13 mA/cm² respectively, under AM 1.5 illumination.     

Tuning of optical,thermal and antimicrobial capabilities of CdS nanoparticles with incorporated Mn prepared by chemical method

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles with different amounts of incorporated Manganese (Mn: 10, 15 and 20 mol%) has been prepared by chemical method. In optical properties the UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra of all samples showed blue shift compared with the bulk CdS and decrease in band gap with Mn concentration. The presence of functional groups was identified by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It confirmed presence of metal sulfur bonding and weak interaction between anions (S^2?) and cations (Mn²⁺). The Photoluminescence spectra showed two emission peaks at 397 and 541 nm corresponding to the electron-hole recombination of CdS and surface trap induced emission respectively. In thermal properties thermogravimetric curve indicated increase in weight loss with Mn incorporation suggesting that pure CdS nanoparticles are thermally more stable than Mn incorporated CdS nanoparticles. The antimicrobial activities of Mn incorporated CdS were studied against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as test microorganisms using agar plating-spot inoculation method.     

Microstructure and luminescence properties of Co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles synthesized by hydrothermal method

Co-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). It is found that the SnO₂ crystallites with the tetragonal rutile structure formed directly during the hydrothermal process without calcination. The Co-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles were spheric and well-dispersed with narrow size distribution. The crystalline size of SnO₂ decreased from 5.98 to 2.22 nm when the Co content increased from 0% to 20%. A considerable red shift in the absorbing band edge was observed with increasing of Co dopant.     

Photoluminescence study of PVP capped CdS nanoparticles embedded in PVA matrix

Photoluminescence properties of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) capped cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol matrix (PVA) are reported. The PVP-CdS nanoparticles are prepared by non-aqueous method wherein cadmium nitrate is used as the cadmium source and hydrogen sulphide as the sulphur source. The synthesized nanoparticles are dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and cast as self-standing flexible (PVP-CdS)-PVA films. The nanocomposites are characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. XRD and TEM studies show the formation of cubic CdS particles with average size ∼3-5 nm. Thermal studies, carried out to observe the changes in PVA matrix due to the incorporation of PVP-CdS nanoparticles show strong interaction between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles. The photoluminescence emission spectra of the nanocomposites show two peaks, at 502 and 636 nm, which are attributed to the band edge and surface defects respectively, of CdS nanoparticles. Effective surface capping with optimum concentration of polyvinyl pyrrolidone leads to the quenching of surface defect-related emission.     

Influence of Fe dopant concentration and annealing temperature on the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films deposited by sol–gel method

Nanostructured Fe doped ZnO thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by sol–gel spin coating method. Influence of Fe doping concentration and annealing temperature on the structural, compositional, morphological and optical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD analysis showed that all the films prepared in this work possessed a hexagonal wurtzite structure and were preferentially oriented along the c-axis. Pure ZnO thin films possessed extensive strain, whereas Fe doped films possessed compressive strain. In the doped films, least value of stress and strain was observed in the 0.5 at.% Fe doped thin film, annealed at 873 K. Average crystallite size was not significantly affected by Fe doping, but it increased from 15.57 to 17.79 nm with increase in annealing temperature from 673 to 873 K. Fe ions are present in +3 oxidation state as revealed by XPS analysis of the 0.5 at.% Fe doped film. Surface morphology is greatly affected by changes in Fe doping concentration and annealing temperature which is evident in the SEM images. The increase in optical band gap from 3.21 to 3.25 eV, with increase in dopant concentration was attributed to Moss–Burstein shift. But increase in annealing temperature from 673 to 873 K caused a decrease in band gap from 3.22 to 3.20 eV. PL spectra showed emissions due to excitonic combinations in the UV region and defect related emissions in the visible region in all the investigated films.     

Synthesis and layer-by-layer self-assembly of silver nanoparticles capped by mercaptosulfonic acid

Spherical silver nanoparticles capped by mercaptosulfonic acid with a diameter of about 8 nm were prepared by a simple chemical reaction. The resulting silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Using layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique, the multilayer films containing silver nanoparticles and polycation poly(dialyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were successfully fabricated. The fabrication process was monitored by UV–vis spectra and the morphology of the multilayer films was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cyclic voltammogram (CV) measurements further confirmed that the silver nanoparticles had assembled into the multilayer films successfully. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements showed that the multilayer films containing silver nanoparticles could serve as SERS-active substrate.     

Synthesis and study of the structure,magnetic, optical and methane gas sensing properties of cobalt doped zinc oxide microstructures

Undoped and Cobalt (Co) doped zinc oxide (ZnO & CZx) nanoparticles were synthesized by Solvothermal method. The samples were studied by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), UV–Vis spectroscopy and Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM & TEM). Moreover the gas sensing properties of the nanoparticles for methane gas took place. Purity of the samples and Co concentration was investigated by EDS and ICP spectroscopy respectively. XRD results described the hexagonal wurtzite structure for all the samples in which crystallinity and the crystallites size decreased with increase of Co doping level. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy the band gap energy was evaluated and redshift of band gap energy was observed by increasing of Co concentration. SEM images demonstrated that nanoparticles were agglomerated with increase of Co doping level. TEM images revealed the nanoparticles size in the range 11–44 nm. Methane sensing properties was enhanced after Co doping of the ZnO nanoparticles for Co concentration up to 4%.     

Structural and optoelectronic characterization of prepared and Sb doped ZnO nanoparticles

This paper briefly reports the structural and optoelectronics properties of prepared pure and Sb doped ZnO nanoparticles. Doping with suitable elements offers an efficient method to control and enhance the optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles, which is essential for various optoelectronics applications. Sb doped ZnO nanoparticles have significant concern due to their unique and unusual electrical and optical properties. In the present work, we report the synthesis of Sb doped ZnO successfully with average particle size range from 26 to 29 nm via direct precipitation method. The phase purity and crystallite size of synthesized ZnO and Sb doped nano-sized particles were characterized and examined via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental analyses of undoped and doped ZnO nanoparticles were examined by using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX).We investigated and measured the optoelectronics properties of synthesized ZnO and Sb doped ZnO nanoparticles by employing photoluminescence and UV–Visible spectroscopy. The influence of Sb doping on photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ZnO nanoparticles, which consists of UV emission and broad visible emission band, is found to be strongly dependent upon the Sb concentration for all the Sb doped ZnO nanoparticles samples under investigation. The UV–Visible absorption study shows an increase in band gap energy as Sb is incorporated on the ZnO nanoparticles.     

Growth of CdS nanoparticles in Y- and Z-type Langmuir–Blodgett thin film using 1,3-bis-(p-iminobenzoic acid)indane

Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles were formed in 1,3-bis-(p-iminobenzoic acid)indane by exposing Cd²⁺ doped Y- and Z-type multilayered Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films to H₂S gas. The growth of CdS nanoparticles were monitored by UV–visible spectroscopy measurements. It was observed that CdS nanoparticles in both Y- and Z-type LB films cause a blue-shift in absorption spectra. The surface morphology of LB films were characterized with atomic force microscopy DC electrical measurements were carried out for these LB films grown in a metal/LB film/metal sandwich structures with and without CdS nanoparticles. By analyzing I–V curves and assuming Schottky conduction mechanism the barrier height was found to be as 1.25 and 1.17?eV for Y-type unexposed and exposed samples; 1.18 and 1.25?eV for Z-type unexposed and exposed samples, respectively.     

Structural,optical and magnetic properties of cobalt-doped CdSe nanoparticles

Pure and Co-doped CdSe nanoparticles have been synthesized by hydrothermal technique. The synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–Visible), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), at room temperature. From XRD analysis, pure and cobalt-doped CdSe nanoparticles have been found to be polycrystalline in nature and possess zinc blende phase having cubic structure. In addition to this, some peaks related to secondary phase or impurities such as cobalt diselenide (CoSe₂) have also been observed. The calculated average crystallite size of the nanoparticles lies in the range, 3–21 nm, which is consistent with the results obtained from TEM analysis. The decrease in average crystallite size and blue shift in the band gap has been observed with Co-doping into the host CdSe nanoparticles. The magnetic analysis shows the ferromagnetic behaviour up to 10% of Co-doping concentration. The increase of Co content beyond 10% doping concentration leads to antiferromagnetic interactions between the Co ions, which suppress the ferromagnetism.     

P(S-SS)/CdS核壳粒子的制备与表征

采用超声辐照乳液聚合得到聚(苯乙烯-苯乙烯磺酸钠)(P(S-SS))乳胶粒,用直接沉淀法在乳胶粒表面原位生成硫化镉(CdS)纳米粒子,得到P(S-SS)/CdS核壳粒子。用元素分析和XPS研究了共聚物的组成及磺酸基(-SO3-)的分布,结果表明,-SO3-主要分布在乳胶粒表面,有利于CdS纳米粒子在乳胶粒表面的沉积。用XRD、TEM及UV-v is表征了共聚物乳胶粒及P(S-SS)/CdS核壳粒子的结构及CdS的量子效应。结果表明,所制备的CdS纳米粒子为六方晶型,平均粒径为6 nm,在P(S-SS)乳胶粒外层形成多层包覆,P(S-SS)/CdS核壳粒子平均粒径为70 nm,CdS纳米粒子表现出明显的量子尺寸效应。     

CdS nanoparticles incorporated onion-like mesoporous silica films: Ageing-induced large stokes shifted intense PL emission

CdS nanoparticles (NPs) were generated in onion-like ordered mesoporous SiO₂ films through a modified sol–gel process using P123 as a structure directing agent. Initially Cd²⁺ doped (12 equivalent mol% with respect to the SiO₂) mesoporous SiO₂ films were prepared on glass substrate. These films after heat-treatment at 350 °C in air yielded transparent mesoporous SiO₂ films having hexagonally ordered onion-like pore channels embedded with uniformly dispersed CdO NPs. The generated CdO NPs were transformed into CdS NPs after exposing the films in H₂S gas at 200 °C for 2 h. The as-prepared CdS NPs incorporated mesoporous SiO₂ films (transparent and bright yellow in color) showed a band-edge emission at 485 nm and a weak surface defect related emission at 530 nm. During ageing of the films in ambient condition the band-edge emission gradually weakened with time and almost disappeared after about 15 days with concomitant increase of defect related strong surface state emission band near 615 nm. This transformation was related to the decay of initially formed well crystalline CdS to relatively smaller and weakly crystalline CdS NPs with surface defects due to gradual oxidation of surface sulfide. At this condition the embedded CdS NPs show large Stokes shifted (∼180 nm) intense broad emission which could be useful for luminescent solar concentrators. The detailed process was monitored by UV–Visible, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, XPS, XRD and TEM studies. The evolution of photoluminescence (PL) and life times of CdS/SiO₂ films were monitored with respect to the ageing time.     

Synthesis and characterization of CdS nanoparticles in polystyrene microfibers

We described the synthesis of hybrid fibers composed of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles and polystyrene (PS) by an in-situ reaction method. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies showed that the hybrid samples have a fiber-like morphology. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies showed that CdS nanoparticles were embedded in PS fibers with a diameter from 10 to 20 nm. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), UV–vis spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) were used to characterize the structure of the composite fibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that a hexagonal CdS phase was obtained in the PS fibers.     

Controlled synthesis of semiconductor PbWO4 nanocrystals inside silica SBA-15 materials

A new flexible approach is developed to synthesize PbWO₄ nanoparticles inside the channels of mesoporous silica SBA-15. Mesoporous SBA-15 silica with 7 nm pores was produced by a hydrothermal process and used as a hard template. PbWO₄ nanoparticles were synthesized and incorporated into the mesoporous silicate support in a low-power ultrasonication condition. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD), nitrogen adsorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that PbWO₄ nanoparticles appeared among the channels of SBA-15. Blue shift was observed in UV–vis absorption spectra due to the quantum size effect of PbWO₄ nanoparticles. This preparation method is also capable of synthesis of various semiconductor nanoparticles with controlled size and morphology inside the channels of mesoporous materials.     

Influence of film thickness and annealing atmosphere on the structural, optical and luminescence properties of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering

TiO₂ thin films were deposited onto quartz substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. Inorder to investigate the effect of film thickness on the structural and optical properties, films were deposited for different time durations, and post-annealed at 873 K. The influence of annealing atmosphere (air/oxygen) on the film properties was also investigated. The films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Films deposited at different time durations are amorphous-like in nature. From XRD patterns it can be inferred that deposition for longer duration is essential for achieving crystallisation in TiO₂ thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering. The films exhibited good adherence to the substrate and are crack free as revealed by SEM images. Film thickness was found to increase with increase in sputtering time. The optical band gap of the films was found to decrease with increase in film thickness, which is consistant with XRD observations. Film thickness did not show any significant variation when annealed in both air and oxygen. Defect related PL emission in the visible region (blue) was observed in all the investigated films, which suggests the application of these films in optoelectronic display devices.