Synthesis and Optical Characterization of CdS Nanowires by Chemical Process

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanostructured materials were synthesized by a wet chemical route without using any capping agent. X-ray diffraction pattern showed the typical interplanar spacings corresponding to the cubic phase of CdS. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed the nanowires formation with length in the range 0.1–1.5 μm and the diameter 25–30 nm. UV–visible optical spectroscopy study was carried out to determine the bandgap of the nanostructured CdS thin films and it showed blue shift with respect to the bulk value. Variation of band gap energies with annealing temperature was also studied in detail. Room temperature photoluminescence of the nano-CdS films was measured and the spectrum showed a broad band centered at ~567 nm, which originated from trap states existing in the forbidden energy gap.