Characterization and photoluminescence of CdS nanoparticles synthesized in diethyl ether-sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate-water microemulsion system

Spherical cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles, 4-5 nm in diameter, were synthesized using an aqueous cadmium nitride [Cd(NO₃)2•4H ₂O] and sodium sulfide [Na₂S•9H₂O] solution in a microemulsion system. The effects of the water to surfactant molar ratio (W = [water]/[surfactant]), the concentration of precursors, the Cd to S precursor ratio, and the density of the ultrasonic wave on the properties of the CdS nanoparticles were examined. The luminescent properties and the size effect of the nanoparticles were characterized using UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The PL emission intensity did not change significantly with an increase in precursor and surfactant concentrations. The absorption edge and PL peak energy of the CdS nanoparticles shifted to shorter wavelengths with an increase in cadmium nitride concentration owing to a phase change and a decrease in CdS nanoparticle size.