Homogeneous growth of CdS/CdSSe nanoparticles in glass matrix

We report here, the synthesis of semiconductor doped glasses using new composition. Depending upon the desired cut off wavelength, the dopant like CdS, S and Se were used during glass preparation. Nanoparticles of semiconductors like CdS/CdSSe were thermally developed in the glass matrix at different temperatures with emphasis on quantum confinement effect. Three types of glasses having cut off wavelength at 475, 575 and 715 nm have been prepared using the same glass composition. The structural characterization which has been carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows hexagonal crystal structure. The optical characterization of the glasses was carried out using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Spectroscopic results showed that steepness of the absorption edge cut off and optical transmittance are related to thermal treatment, crystal size and uniform distribution of the semiconductors in the glass matrix. Average size of the nanoparticles embedded in the glass matrix has been determined using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Thermal properties have been studied using Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Thermo-Mechanical Analyzer (TMA). (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.