Photoluminescence properties and threshold effect of ZnS:Ag nanoparticles synthesized by a hydrothermal process

摘要

Ag-doped ZnS nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis from the raw powders of thiourea, zinc acetate and silver nitrate. The effects of Ag+ on the structural, morphological, composition, elemental analysis and luminescence properties were investigated. The results showed that the powders were all found in the cubic sphalerite structure with an average particle size of approximately 40 nm. In addition, various Ag+ doping concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 4, 7 and 10 at.%) were selected to study the optical properties of the ZnS nanoparticles. It was found that the photoluminescence (PL) spectra excited by 325 nm and X-ray showed a peak at 490 nm for all samples and exhibited concentration quenching behavior. The PL results also indicate that the most favorable silver doping concentration for emission is 3 at.%. These results suggested that ZnS:Ag (3 at.%) nanoparticles were promising candidate materials for certain areas, such as screen displays, scintillators and lasers.