Synthesis and optical characterization of Zn_{1-x}Mg_xS: Eu nanoparticles

Authors

ALEXANDER NWABUEZE AMAH
AUDU ONOJA
RICHARD AKPAGHER

Abstract

Zn_{1-x}Mg_xS: Eu^{3+} nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile co-precipitation technique with varying magnesium concentrations (0 =< x =< 0.20). X-ray diffraction results showed a mixture of cubic and hexagonal structures. There was an observed peak shift towards higher angles, decrease in peak intensities, disappearance of other peaks, and increase in diffraction peak broadening as Mg concentration increased. The estimated average particle sizes ranged from 2.0 nm to 8.79 nm. Scanning electron microscopy results showed smooth and uniform surface morphology. Energy dispersive X-ray studies indicated that the samples contained mainly Zn, S, and Eu because of the low detection limit for Mg. UV-Vis absorption spectrophotometer results showed a blue shift in energy due to quantum confinement as Mg concentration increased.

DOI

10.3906/fiz-1208-6

Keywords

Zn_{1-x}Mg_xS: Eu^{3+} nanoparticles, quantum confinement, hexagonal structure, particle size

First Page

289

Last Page

295

Recommended Citation

AMAH, ALEXANDER NWABUEZE; ONOJA, AUDU; and AKPAGHER, RICHARD (2013) "Synthesis and optical characterization of Zn_{1-x}Mg_xS: Eu nanoparticles," Turkish Journal of Physics: Vol. 37: No. 3, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3906/fiz-1208-6
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/physics/vol37/iss3/3