Spectroscopic studies on Zn-doped CdS nanopowders prepared by simple coprecipitation method

A series of Zn-doped cadmium sulfide (CdS:Zn) nanopowders were prepared by a simple coprecipitation method at room temperature, mixing the stoichiometric amount of reactants in a Milli-Q water solvent. The composition of nanopowders was accurately adjusted by controlling the molar ratio of Cd, Zn acetate in the mixed reactants. Spectroscopic studies on as prepared nanopowders were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman, UV–Vis absorption, Field emission–scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and photoluminescence. Broad nature of XRD peaks confirms that as prepared powders are in nanosize and cubic structure at room temperature. Doping with Zn in CdS does not lead to any structural phase transformation but introduces a decrease in the lattice constants. Raman spectrum of Zn-doped CdS nanopowders shifts slightly toward higher energy side compared with their pure CdS nanopowders. Exciton–phonon confinement factor (S) varies in between 0.3 and 0.4. At lower wavelength excitation, we observed a broad emission peak maximum centered at 404 nm is attributed to localized band edge emission.