Luminescence enhancement of Mn doped ZnS nanocrystals passivated with zinc hydroxide

Mn-doped ZnS nanocrystals prepared by solvothermal method have been successfully coated with different thicknesses of Zn(OH)₂ shells through precipitation reaction. The impact of Zn(OH)₂ shells on luminescent properties of the ZnS:Mn nanocrystals was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that the ZnS:Mn nanocrystals have cubic zinc blende structure. The morphology of nanocrystals is spherical shape measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). ZnS:Mn/Zn(OH)₂ core/shell nanocrystals exhibited much improved luminescent properties than those of unpassivated ZnS:Mn nanocrystals. The luminescence enhancement was observed with the Zn(OH)₂ shell thickening by photoluminescence (PL) spectra at room temperature and the luminescence lifetime of transition from ⁴T₁ to ⁶A₁ of Mn²⁺ ions was also prolonged. This result was led by the effective, robust passivation of ZnS surface states by the Zn(OH)₂ shells, which consequently suppressed nonradiative recombination transitions.     

Fast two-step microwave-activated synthesis of Mn doped ZnS nanocrystals: Comparison of the luminescence and doping process with thermochemical approach

In this work we report a fast two-step microwave activated synthesis of the ZnS:Mn nanocrystals. Zn(NO₃)₂ and Na₂S₂O₃ were used as the precursors and Mn(NO₃)₂ was employed as the source of the impurity. The aqueous synthesis was based on the heat sensitivity of Na₂S₂O₃, which releases some S species on heating. Consequently, the reaction was well activated under microwave irradiation resulting in formation of ZnS:Mn nanocrystals. Thioglycerol (TG) was also used as the capping agent and the catalyst of the reaction. The synthesis process was done in two steps, i.e. 1 min irradiation without TG and then injection of TG and continuation of irradiation. ZnS:Mn nanocrystals were quickly formed in the solution and luminescence was emerged in a few minutes. Optical transmission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated formation of ZnS:Mn nanocrystals with a cubic crystalline structure and 3.0 nm average size. Photoluminescence measurements also showed some spectra with a Mn related peak located at 585 nm. The mentioned peak corresponds to ⁴T₁→⁶A₁ transition in Mn impurities and revealed the effective incorporation of Mn ions inside the nanocrystals. Evolution of the PL was also investigated and showed an increase in longer irradiation times. A qualitative model is also used to justify the necessity of using a two-step method as well as the PL emergence and increase in longer irradiation times. The model is based on separation between the nucleation and growth steps and significant role of TG in these stages. Finally, we present a comparison between the results of microwave activated method and two-step thermochemical approach. Although the synthesis time in microwave activated method was considerably short (less than 5 min), the luminescence properties were quite comparable with long time thermochemical approach. The doping process was also investigated for different Mn/Zn concentrations in two approaches. The results demonstrated that the doping occurred more effectively in the microwave activated synthesis.     

Photoluminescence properties of impurity-doped ZnS nanocrystals fabricated by sequential ion implantation

We have studied photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and dynamics of Cu- and Al-doped ZnS (ZnS:Cu,Al) nanocrystals fabricated by sequential implantation of Zn⁺, S⁺, Cu⁺, and Al⁺ ions into Al₂O₃ matrices. These samples exhibit intense green PL under UV light excitation. The space- and time-resolved PL measurements show that the broad green PL is due to the donor–acceptor (DA) pair luminescence of single ZnS:Cu,Al nanocrystals.     

Brighter glow in ZnS nanocrystals with polarized light

No known reports exist on luminescence enhancement under polarized light excitation. In this study, ZnS nanocrystals have been observed to produce brighter luminescence when excited by polarized light. ZnS:Mn bulk and nanocrystals have shown fivefold to tenfold increase in photoluminescence (PL) intensity when excited with linearly polarized light at 305 nm and 340 nm. Luminescence enhancement to a lesser degree was observed with linearly polarized light excitation for ZnS:Cu, Al and ZnS:Ag, Al nanocrystals. The observations suggest emission intensity dependence on the degree of anisotropy, which could be correlated mainly with the symmetry of the luminescence center and also to a lesser extent with nanoparticle shape asymmetry.     

单核/双壳结构CdSe/CdS/ZnS纳米晶的合成与发光性质

以巯基乙酸为稳定剂,在水溶液中合成了单核/双壳结构的CdSe/CdS/ZnS纳米晶。在内核CdSe和外壳ZnS之间的内壳CdS作为晶格匹配调节层,能够很好的改善核/壳界面处的性能,而且,最外层ZnS能够最大程度地使激子受限。用TEM和XPS对纳米晶进行了表征,并且用光致发光光谱和吸收光谱对不同核壳结构的纳米晶的发光性能进行了比较,结果表明单核/双壳结构的纳米晶具有更加优异的发光特性。     

玻璃基质中ZnS纳米晶Mn2+的EPR谱

用融熔法制备分散有ZnS:Mn²⁺纳米晶的纳硼硅(Na₂O-B₂O₃-SiO₂)玻璃在不同温度、时间对样品进行退火处理,得到不同尺寸的纳米晶.研究了玻璃基质中ZnS:Mn²⁺纳米晶的EPR谱、微波功率饱和EPR谱及发射光谱,发现Mn²⁺有二种组态,即替位组态和间隙位组态.分析结果表明替位组态Mn²⁺及周围立方晶场的畸变程度直接影响光学发光特性.     

The optical properties and energy transition process in nanocomposite of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone polymer and Mn-doped ZnS

This study has been carried out on the optical properties of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP), the energy transition process in nanocomposite of PVP capped ZnS:Mn nanocrystalline and the influence of the PVP concentration on the optical properties of the PVP capped ZnS:Mn nanocrystalline thin films synthesized by the wet chemical method. The microstructures of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, the atomic absorption spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the prepared samples belonged to the sphalerite structure with the average particle size of about 2–3 nm. The optical properties of samples are studied by measuring absorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectra and time-resolved PL spectra in the wavelength range from 200 to 700 nm at 300 K. From data of the absorption spectra, the absorption edge of PVP polymer was found about of 230 nm. The absorption edge of PVP capped ZnS:Mn nanoparticles shifted from 322 to 305 nm when the PVP concentration increases. The luminescence spectra of PVP showed a blue emission with peak maximum at 394 nm. The luminescence spectra of ZnS:Mn–PVP exhibits a blue emission with peak maximum at 437 nm and an orange–yellow emission of ion Mn²⁺ with peak maximum at 600 nm. While the PVP coating did not affect the microstructure of ZnS:Mn nanomaterial, the PL spectra of the PVP capped ZnS:Mn samples were found to be affected strongly by the PVP concentration.     

与掺杂浓度相关的ZnS∶Mn纳米粒子的发光性质

采用溶胶法制备了Mn掺杂的ZnS纳米粒子,探讨了掺杂离子浓度对ZnS∶Mn纳米粒子的晶体结构和发光性质的影响。通过X射线衍射（XRD）对样品的结构进行了表征,结果表明：所制备的ZnS∶Mn纳米粒子为立方闪锌矿结构,其在Mn离子的掺杂浓度达到6%时不发生分相,但随着掺杂浓度的增加,纳米粒子的平均粒径会减小。光致发光光谱和荧光光谱的结果表明：通过改变掺杂离子的浓度可实现对ZnS∶Mn纳米粒子590 nm附近荧光发射波长的调节。此外,研究了温度对纳米粒子形貌和发光性质的影响。高分辨透射电子显微镜（HRTEM）观察发现,经过50℃陈化1 h后的ZnS∶Mn样品的平均粒径增大约为20 nm,且加热陈化有利于ZnS∶Mn纳米粒子中Mn2＋在590 nm处产生荧光。     

核/壳结构ZnS : Mn/CdS纳米粒子的制备及发光

利用溶剂热法制备了Mn离子掺杂的ZnS纳米粒子(ZnS : Mn),利用沉淀法对ZnS ∶ Mn纳米粒子进行了不同厚度的CdS无机壳层包覆。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)及光致发光(PL)光谱等手段对样品进行了表征。TEM显示粒子为球形,直径大约在14~18 nm之间。由XRD结果可以看出CdS壳层的形成过程受到了ZnS ∶ Mn核的影响,导致其结晶较差。XRD和XPS测量证明了ZnS : Mn/CdS的核壳结构。随着CdS壳层的增厚,样品的发光强度呈现一直减弱的现象。     

Synthesis of robust water-soluble ZnS:Mn/SiO2 core/shell nanoparticles

Water-soluble Mn doped ZnS (ZnS:Mn) nanocrystals synthesized by using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as stabilizer were homogeneously coated with a dense silica shell through a multi-step procedure. First, 3-mercaptopropyl triethoxy silane (MPS) was used to replace MPA on the particle surface to form a vitreophilic layer for further silica deposition under optimal experimental conditions. Then a two-step silica deposition was performed to form the final water-soluble ZnS:Mn/SiO₂ core/shell nanoparticles. The as-prepared core/shell nanoparticles show little change in fluorescence intensity in a wide range of pH value.     

Optical studies of Cd and Mn Co-doped ZnS nanocrystals

We report the structural and optical properties of co-doped ZnS nanocrystals synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method using Methacrylic Acid (MAA) as a capping agent. XRD patterns confirm the zinc blend structure of the samples. As calculated by the Debye-Scherrer formula and TEM image, the mean nanocluster diameter of the sample is ranging between 4-8 nm. EDAX analysis of co-doped sample confirms the presence of Mn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in addition to the sulfur deficiencies. Optical characterizations of both doped and co-doped samples are carried out by UV-vis and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. We observed the coexistence of two metal ions and their effect on the luminescence properties (i.e. red emission) of the host material. The mechanism of energy transfer for the emissions are tried to discuss.     

Luminescence kinetics in silica gel doped with Tb3+ ions and ZnS:Mn2+ nanocrystals

Luminescence kinetics and time-resolved luminescence spectra of SiO₂, SiO₂ doped with ZnS:Mn²⁺ nanocrystals and SiO₂ doped with ZnS:Mn²⁺, and additionally co-doped with Tb³⁺, are presented. The purposes of the paper are the analysis of the kinetics of the Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺ intra-shell luminescence and the elucidation of the energy-transfer mechanism between the ZnS:Mn²⁺ nanocrystals and the Tb³⁺ ions. We have found a blue luminescence related to defects in the ZnS nanocrystals and an intrinsic luminescence of the SiO₂ lattice, which decays in few ns. A yellow luminescence related to the Mn^{2+ 4}T₁(G)→⁶A₁ transition and yellow sharp lines related to the ⁵D₄→⁷F₆, ⁷F₅, ⁷F₄ and ⁷F₃ transitions in Tb³⁺ are found to decay in ms. A very effective energy transfer between ZnS:Mn²⁺ nanoparticles and Tb³⁺ ions has been observed.     

Highly luminescent (ZnSe)ZnS core-shell quantum dots for blue to UV emission: synthesis and characterization

We synthesized nearly monodisperse bare ZnSe nanocrystallites having luminescence which ranges in wavelength from 340 to 430 nm via nucleation due to supersaturation and growth followed by size selective precipitation. Bare ZnSe dots' outermost surface is passivated with organic HDA/TOP. In order to enhance the radiative emission from the semiconductor nanocrystals, we capped the bare ZnSe quantum dots with ZnS semiconductor materials of a wider band gap and 5% of lattice mismatch and produced highly luminescent core-shell (ZnSe)ZnS quantum dots. The core-shell (ZnSe)ZnS nanocrystals show 20 times or more as greatly enhanced luminescence quantum yields as those of bare ZnSe nanocrystals. The ZnSe bare dots and the (ZnSe)ZnS core-shell dots have cubic zinc blende structures as expected from the bulk structure. The observed shapes of bare ZnSe and core-shell (ZnSe)ZnS dots are nearly spherical or ellipsoidal with the aspect ratios of 1.2 and 1.4, respectively. They are not faceted.     

掺杂纳米半导体超微粒ZnS:Mn2+光学特性研究

九十年代对纳米尺寸(nanoscale)材料的光物理性质的深入研究,导致了介于微观与宏观物理间的新的学科一介观物理(mesoscopic physics)的产生.其科学义在于建立和发展介于原子分子和固体之间所谓介观系统(mesoscopic system)的量子理论,揭示介观物质特性及其相互作用本质,并利用介观特性探索新型结构和功能材料.以往对纳米半导体超微粒材料的研究主要集中于与本征特性相关的量子尺寸效应,或缺陷对超微粒本征特性的影响[1,2].超微粒中过渡金属离子中心发光性质研究首次报道于1993年[3,4]并指出这可能成为崭新的一类发光材料.     

Effects of ZnS:Mn/AlN multilayer structure on luminescent properties of nanostructured thin-film EL device

Effects of ZnS:Mn/AlN multilayer structure on luminescent properties of nanostructured (NS) thin-film electroluminescent (TFEL) device of which emission layer is a multilayer composed with ZnS:Mn layers and 0.7-nm-thick AlN interlayers were studied. The bandgap widening and the increased PL efficiency of Mn²⁺ 3d-3d transitions with a decrease in the ZnS:Mn single-layer thickness down to 5 nm were observed, which is ascribed to quantum confinement effects. Meanwhile, the multilayer with 2-nm-thick ZnS:Mn single-layers shows a drop of PL efficiency, indicating the presence of defective region just on AlN. The tendency of the luminous efficiency of the NS-TFEL device against the ZnS:Mn single-layer thickness is similar to the tendency found in the PL efficiency, indicating the importance of the ZnS:Mn/AlN interface for the device performance.     

Diffusional relaxation in ZnS after thermal doping at 800°C

Photoluminescence spectra of powdered ZnS thermally doped with MnS are studied. Correlations are demonstrated between variations in the luminescence characteristics of ZnS:Mn, on one hand, and some features of radiation center formation and the diffusion of Mn in ZnS after processing, on the other. It is found that after manganese doping at a temperature (T = 800°C) lower than the phase transition temperature of ZnS, relaxation processes owing to diffusion of Mn in ZnS take place in the material over times as long as 6.10³ h. It is shown that 6.10³ h after doping the α-MnS phase is essentially completely dissolved in the volume of the ZnS. Diffusion of Mn in powdered ZnS is found to occur via several channels, rapid diffusion along interior boundaries and slow diffusion via interstitial space, which indicates the existence of different activation energies for diffusion of Mn depending on its localization within the ZnS lattice.     

核-壳结构的ZnS:Cu/ZnS纳米粒子的制备及发光性质研究

制备了核-壳结构的ZnS:Cu/ZnS纳米粒子以及普通的没有壳的Cu2 掺杂的ZnS纳米粒子,研究了ZnS无机壳层对ZnS:Cu纳米粒子发光性质的影响.透射电子显微镜、激发光谱和发射光谱的研究表明,后加入的Zn2 离子在已经形成的ZnS核表面生长,形成ZnS壳层;而适当厚度的ZnS壳层可以钝化粒子表面,减少无辐射复合中心的数目,抑制表面态对发光的不利影响,提高ZnS:Cu纳米粒子中Cu2 离子在450 nm左右的发光强度.     

Photoluminescence characteristics of ZnS nanocrystallites co-doped with Cu and Cd

ZnS nanocrystallites co-doped with Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ have been prepared by precipitation from homogeneous solutions of transition metal (Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺) salt compounds, with S²⁻ as precipitating anion formed by decomposition of thioacetamide (TAA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the samples show that the average crystallite size of the doped and undoped ZnS nanocrystallites is Novel luminescence phenomena (green emission) have been observed from the co-doped ZnS nanocrystals. The photoluminescence (PL) property of the co-doped samples is significantly different from that of ZnS nanocrystallites doped with Cu²⁺ or Cd²⁺.     

核/壳结构的ZnS:Mn/SiO_2纳米粒子的制备及发光性质研究

采用溶剂热法制备了Mn离子掺杂的ZnS纳米粒子(ZnS∶Mn),然后利用正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)的水解反应对其进行了不同厚度的SiO2无机壳层包覆。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)及荧光发射光谱(PL)对样品的结构及光学性质进行了表征和研究。包覆SiO2壳层后,粒子的粒径明显增大并且在ZnS∶Mn纳米粒子表面可以观察到明显的SiO2壳层。XPS测试印证了ZnS∶Mn/SiO2的核壳结构。随着SiO2壳层的增厚,ZnS∶Mn/SiO2的Mn离子的发光先增强后减弱,这是因为SiO2壳层同时具有表面修饰和降低发光中心浓度这两种相反的作用。当壳层厚度(壳与核的物质的量的比)达到5时,发光效果达到最好,其强度达到未包覆样品的7.5倍。     

Photophysical and photoluminescence properties of co-activated ZnS:Cu,Mn phosphors

ZnS:Cu,Mn phosphors were prepared by conventional solid state reaction with the aid of NaCl-MgCl₂ flux at 900 °C. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, UV-vis absorbance spectra and photoluminescence spectra. All samples possess cubic structure. Cu has a much stronger effect on the absorption property of ZnS than Mn. Incorporation of Mn into ZnS host only slightly enhances the light absorption, while addition of Cu remarkably increases the ability of absorption due to ground state Cu⁺ absorption. The emission spectra of the ZnS:Cu,Mn phosphors consist of three bands centered at about 452, 520 and 580 nm, respectively. Introduction of Mn significantly quenches the green luminescence of ZnS:Cu. The excitation energy absorbed by Cu is efficiently transferred to Mn activators non-radiatively and the Mn luminescence can be sensitized by Cu behaving as a sensitizer (energy donor).