Strong UV emission in flakes-like ZnS nanoparticles synthesized by cost effective sol-gel method. (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumari, Priyanka; Sharma, Aashish; Kumawat, Ashok; Samanta, Susruta; Misra, Kamakhya Prakash; Rao, Ashok; Kabi, Sanjib; Chattopadhyay, Saikat
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 58:Part 2(2022)
• Page Start: 642
• Page End: 647
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: ZnS -- Nanoparticles -- Micro-strain -- Band gap -- Opto-electronic properties; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.01.353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of the study is to synthesize ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) by simple cost-effective technique and analyze their optoelectronic features. Cubic single phase ZnS NPs were prepared by sol-gel process. XRD data confirms the polycrystalline growth via presence of multiple peaks along various crystallographic planes. The particles are approximately 3 nm in diameter confirming the nano size of the material. FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy establishes the presence of all major Zn and S bonding in the sample with slightly increased optical band gap as compared to the bulk ZnS. The larger band gap is related to smaller particle size supported by the XRD data. To understand the light emission behavior of the ZnS NPs, PL spectroscopic analysis was done. Strong UV emission is observed at 380 nm which is attributed to the hole trapping and recombination phenomena with electrons by sulphur or zinc defect states. Other comparatively feeble and broader peak is also seen at 435 which is related to surface dangling bonds. FESEM micrographs reveal the evidence of flake-like outgrowth in the sample. EDX confirms that, Zn and S are the only elements present in the material.