Structural and Optical Properties of Ce3+ Doped ZnS Nanoparticles

ZnS nanoparticles doped with various concentration of Cerium were synthesized by solid state reaction method. The presence of Ce3+ ions in the synthesized samples were verified using X-ray powder diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum. XRD analysis showed that sample prepared were hexagonal zinc sulphide with particles' size in the ranges 36 nm-45 nm. The crystallite size of the particles increases with Ce3+ doping. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy measurements have shown that the strongest absorption peak of nano ZnS is blue shifted compared to bulk ZnS. The strongest absorption peak of Ce3+ doped nano ZnS is red shifted with respect to parent nano ZnS. The existence of functional groups was identified using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The PL emission studies of Ce3+ doped ZnS revealed good emission at 422 nm and 459 nm when excited with wavelength 290 nm.