Structural and optical properties of Cd1-xZnxS (x = 0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1) thin films prepared using the precursor obtained from microwave irradiation processes

Abstract

Synthesizing Cd1-xZnxS (CdZnS) nanoparticles via a facile microwave-assisted method as starting material for coating processes and characterization of their thin films deposited on glass were performed. Compositional ratio and structural properties of the nanoparticles and films were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray technique (EDAX). Surface morphology of the prepared films was studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Also, optical properties of thin films were characterized by photoluminescence (PL) and UV–vis. spectroscopy techniques. Structure of CdZnS of the nanoparticles and thin films were found as hexagonal and cubic, depending on Zn2+ ion doping value on Cd2+ ion sites. PL spectra of the specimens showed a blue shift and a strong correlation between PL pattern and doping level. The prepared CdZnS films were found to have direct band gaps varying from 2.33eV for CdS to 3.33eV for ZnS.