Synthesis and characterization of cobalt doped ZnS nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study ZnS nano particles were synthesized using chemical method without using any capping agent. The particles were doped with Cobalt from  1%  to 8%.  The synthesized samples were characterized for structural and optical properties using  x-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope(TEM),   UV spectrometer, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) . The observed  XRD patterns revealed that particle size of ZnS:Co particles varied from 3.2 to 3.7 nm  and confirmed zinc blend structure. The size of particles was further confirmed by TEM studies. The optical band gap was calculated from data obtained from UV analysis. The band gap variation was observed  with doping and it varied from  4.95 to 5.8 eV. Ultraviolet studies showed the blue shift  as the particle size decreases starting from bulk ZnS indicating quantum confinement. this material may potentially be used as window layer in solar cells or filter material when used in multiple layers