Synthesis of CdS nanoparticles by a novel and simple one-step, solid-state reaction in the presence of a nonionic surfactant

Abstract

A novel and simple one-step, solid-state reaction in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, C 18H 37O(CH 2CH 2O) 10H (abbreviated as C 18EO 10), has been developed to synthesize uniform cubic-phase β-CdS nanoparticles with an average diameter of ca. 5 nm. The CdS nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV–VIS optical absorption spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). The roles of nonionic surfactant, C 18EO 10, in the formation of CdS nanoparticles were discussed in detail.