Cu-doped CdS and ZnS nanocrystals grown onto thiolated silica-gel

摘要

CdS and ZnS nanocrystals were grown over specific binding sites onto a thiolated silica-gel aiming to favor defect emission processes. This strategy was found to be effective in yielding ZnS nanocrystals with simultaneous blue and blue-green emissions owing to different types of defects. The effects of doping with copper ions have been observed on the photoluminescence properties. The intensity of defect-related emissions from both semiconductor nanocrystals increased with increasing dopant concentration from 0.25% to 1.5% copper, consistent with the presence of sulfur vacancies. Higher dopant concentrations lead to concentration quenching.