Synthesis and characterization of Bi2S3 nanocrystals in glass matrix

Abstract

This is the first evidence for the successful growth of Bi2S3 nanocrystals in glass matrix (SiO2–K2O–Na2O–B2O3–ZnO–TiO2) using the fusion method. Different sizes of nanocrystals in glass matrix were grown by annealing the glass (dispersed with Bi2S3 nucleons) under two different conditions. The glass was annealed between 6 and 48 h at constant temperature 550 °C. The glass was also annealed at the temperature between 550 and 600 °C at constant annealing time 6 h. The Bi2S3 nanocomposite obtained was characterized by optical transmission (OT) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). OT spectroscopy revealed strong red shift in transmission cut off which indicates increase in particle size of nanocrystals under both the conditions. TEM analysis demonstrated the nanocrystal size in the range of 2–5 nm.