Facile synthesis of CdS nanocrystals using thioglycolic acid as a sulfur source and stabilizer in aqueous solution

Abstract

A novel method has been developed for the synthesis of CdS nanocrystals (NCs) using thioglycolic acid (TGA) as a sulfur source and stabilizer with the presence of hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous medium. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicate that the product was of zinc-blend crystal structure in a sphere-like shape. The room-temperature luminescence spectra revealed that the emission peak of CdS NCs prepared in relatively short refluxing times (10-120 min) could be tuned from 518 nm to 610 nm, and the photoluminescence quantum yield of the as-prepared CdS NCs could reach as high as 12.6%. In addition, the mechanism of the CdS nanocrystals formation was preliminarily discussed.

KEY WORDS: Chemical synthesis, CdS, Nanostructures, Optical properties, Photoluminescence spectroscopy

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2011, 25(3), 393-398.