Electrochemical template-assisted fabrication of CdS micro/nanostructures

One-dimensional (1D) cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanostructures, including micro/nanorods, and nanostructures resembling flowers and cactus have been synthesized by electrochemical template deposition technique, using polycarbonate membranes, by controlling various reaction parameters. These 1D CdS nanostructures were characterized structurally through the X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and morphologically through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that apart from the dimensions of the pores of the templates, the geometrical morphologies of the CdS 1D nanostructures were significantly influenced by the synthesizing parameters also. The optical characterization has been done by UV–visible absorption and room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) studies.     

Controlling morphology and structure of nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS) by tailoring solvothermal processing parameters

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) with different morphologies was successfully prepared by solvothermal process by controlling the processing parameters, including nature of precursor and solvent, reaction temperature and process time. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that, in all cases highly pure and crystallized CdS with hexagonal structure were obtained. In addition, it was found that the processing parameters influence on preferable growth direction of CdS nanostructures. Field emission scanning electron microscope analysis showed that CdS nanowires with different aspect ratios were obtained (depending upon the reaction temperature and process time) in presence of sulfur powder and ethylenediamine, whereas CdS nanoparticles were produced by sulfur powder and ethanolamine. Moreover, CdS nanorods were prepared using thiourea and ethylenediamine. Transmission electron microscope image confirmed that CdS nanowire with one of the highest aspect ratio reported in the literature (i.e., 255) was achieved using sulfur powder and ethylenediamine at 200 °C reaction temperature for 72 h process time. UV–Vis absorption spectra of CdS nanostructures prepared under different conditions displayed a blue shift relative to that of bulk CdS due to the quantum size effect.     

Ag nanoparticle mediated growth of CdS nanobelts

Catalytic growth of CdS have been carried out on large scale by evaporation of bulk CdS on Ag deposited Si (1 1 1) at atmospheric pressure. The as prepared CdS had wurtzite structure as evidenced by X-ray diffraction. The nanostructures were beltlike with several tens of micrometers length, several micrometers width and few nanometers to tens of nanometers thick as seen by scanning electron microscope and confirmed by TEM studies. The nanobelts were single crystalline in nature and showed reflection corresponding to (1 1 2) and (0 0 2) planes in SAED. The PL studies revealed the green band due to band gap emission and red band due to emission from the surface states. The higher intensity of the defect emission indicated the presence of considerable concentration of surface defects in the as prepared sample. The deposition of CdS could be explained on the basis of catalyst assisted vapor-liquid-solid and vapor-solid mechanism.     

Cadmium (II) pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate complex as single source precursor for the preparation of CdS nanocrystals by microwave irradiation and conventional heating process

The complex of cadmium with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate Cd(pdtc)₂ has been used as single source precursor for the synthesis of CdS nanoparticles. The formation of CdS nanostructures was achieved by thermal decomposition of the complex under microwave irradiation and conventional heating in presence of hexadecylamine. The CdS nanoparticles with disordered close-packed structure were obtained under microwave irradiation, whereas wurtzite hexagonal phase CdS nanorods were obtained by conventional heating method (up to 150 °C). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies also were carried out to study the structure and morphology of nanoparticles. The optical property of the CdS nanoparticles was studied by UV-visible and fluorescence emission spectral studies. Fluorescence measurements on the CdS nanoparticles show a strong emission spectrum with two sub bands that are attributed to band-edge and surface-defect emissions. The reduction of a suitable cadmium metal complex is considered to be one of the single pot methods to generate CdS semiconductor nanoparticles with different shapes and high yield.     

CdS纳米带和纳米锯的热蒸发法的合成和光学性质研究

利用氢气辅助的一步热蒸发法,在镀有金膜的硅片上制备出大量的CdS纳米结构. CdS纳米结构由纤锌矿结构的CdS纳米带和纳米锯组成. 研究表明沉积温度对CdS纳米结构的形貌和尺寸具有重要影响. 用气-液-固和气-固复合生长机理解释了CdS纳米结构的形成过程.光致发光测试表明CdS纳米带和纳米锯均发射出波长为512 nm的很强的绿色发光峰,对应于CdS的带-带跃迁. 同时对CdS纳米结构的光波导性质也进行了观察和讨论.     

Synthesis and optical characterization of monodispersed Mn doped CdS nanoparticles

Monodispersed Mn²⁺ doped CdS nanoparticles with average size as small as 1.8 nm have been synthesized through chemical method. The nanostructures of the prepared nanoparticles have been confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements. The photoluminescence emission covering 450-650 nm of the visible region is observed under ultraviolet light excitation, from Mn²⁺ doped CdS nanoparticles dispersed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).     

Controlled synthesis of porous nickel oxide nanostructures and their electrochemical capacitive behaviors

Achieving precise control over the synthesis and properties of porous nanostructured materials has been garnering considerable recent research attention. In the work presented here, nickel oxalate nanostructures with controllable shapes were synthesized through a simple and facile wet-chemistry route without any surfactant. An interesting shape evolution process from 2D nanoflakes to 1D nanorods has been illustrated on the basis of time-dependent experimental studies. Subsequent calcination at 380 °C yielded porous NiO nanostructures that retained the morphologies of their predecessors. The phase composition, morphology, and structure of the as-obtained products were studied by various tools. Electrochemical properties of the NiO electrodes were carried out using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements by a three-electrode system. Electrochemical studies reveal that the as-prepared mesoporous NiO nanostructures have good specific capacitance and exhibit excellent capacity retention for more than 1,000 cycles due to its porous character and morphology. The results suggest that mesoporous NiO nanostructures are a promising supercapacitor electrode material.     

Synergetic effect of ultrasound and sodium dodecyl sulphate in the formation of CdS nanostructures in aqueous solution

High aspect ratio (>1000) CdS nanostructures were prepared via ultrasound treatment of parent nanowires (NWs) dispersed in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) aqueous solution. The CdS parent NWs were prepared using ordered mesoporous silica, SBA-15, as a template. The elongated nanostructures (ENS), namely, NWs, nanoribbons and nanotubes, form stable dispersions in aqueous solutions. Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to characterize both the parent NWs and the ENS. While the structure of the parent NWs is crystalline cubic, the ENS are amorphous. We show that the amorphous ENS bud from the parent bundled NWs. Ultrasound power and duration, presence of commensurate surfactant and calcination temperature of the templating SBA-15 are critical parameters in the formation of ENS in aqueous solution.     

Mixed-solvothermal synthesis of CdS micro/nanostructures and their optical properties

Several novel cadmium sulfide (CdS) micro/nanostructures, including cauliflower-like microspheres, football-like microspheres, tower-like microrods, and dendrites were controllably prepared via an oxalic acid-assisted solvothermal route using ethylene glycol (EG) and H₂O as pure and mixed solvents with different S sources. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and UV-vis spectrophotometer (UV). It was found that CdS micro/nanostructures can be selectively obtained by varying the composition of solvent, concentration of oxalic acid, and sulfur sources. UV-vis absorption spectra reveal that their absorption properties are shape-dependent. The possible formation process of the CdS micro/nanostructures was briefly discussed. This route provides a facile way to tune the morphologies of CdS over a wide range.     

用一维光子带隙结构增强硫化镉双光子吸收研究

用真空镀膜方法制备了含有单个CdS缺陷层的具有不同周期和结构参量的TiO2／SiO2一维光子晶体。用抽运一探测技术研究了CdS缺陷层的双光子吸收（TPA）现象。实验结果表明：一维光子晶体中CdS缺陷层的双光子吸收显著增强。不同周期和结构参量的一维光子晶体中CdS缺陷层的双光子吸收系数不同。双光子吸收的增强来源于由光局域化导致的缺陷层的电场强度的增加。缺陷层电场强度与一维光子晶体的结构有关,如周期,光子带隙的位置与宽度及缺陷模式等因素都会影响缺陷层电场强度。采用四分之一波长的高低折射率介质层和与入射波长匹配的缺陷模可以得到最大的缺陷层电场强度。     

ZnS:Ag/CdS: a new family of color-tunable quantum dots

ZnS:Ag/CdS quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized by a reverse micelle process under ambient environment. Excited by 350?nm, the emission peak of ZnS:Ag/CdS QDs changes from 425 to 625?nm with increasing the thickness of CdS shells. Although the quantum yields of QDs decrease with CdS shells thickening, the luminescent brightness remains stable throughout. Compared with the traditional color-tunable CdSe QDs, the synthesis of ZnS:Ag/CdS QDs is less toxic and more economic. Therefore, this synthesis process can be regarded as an efficient way to fabricate a series of luminescent nanostructures for a variety of applications.     

Simplistic surface active agents mediated morphological tweaking of CdS thin films for photoelectrochemical solar cell performance

This study reports on the formation of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanostructures with controlled morphology synthesized via a simple chemical route in surface active agent environment. The effect of organic surface active agents (surfactants) as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on structural, morphological, optical and photoelectrochemical properties of CdS thin films have been studied. Our results reveal that the organic surfactants play key roles in tweaking the surface morphology. A compact spongy ball like morphology was observed for the CdS samples grown without organic surfactants. The cauliflower's with nanopetals from the CTAB, whereas crowded star fish like morphology is observed in PEG-mediated growth. Water hyacinth like morphology is tweaked using SDS. Considering the importance of these nanostructures, the growth mechanism has been discussed in details. Additionally, the samples are photoelectrochemically (PEC) active and having a compact surface with a nanoporous structure twig helps in improved photoelectrochemical performance compared to that of CdS deposits from surfactant free solution. This is a simplistic way to tune the morphology using surfactants, which can be applied to other energy conversion applications.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of CdS/α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> hierarchical nanostructures

CdS/α-Fe₂O₃ hierarchical nanostructures, where the CdS nanorods grow irregularly on the side surface of α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods, were synthesized via a three-step process. The diameters and lengths of CdS nanorods can be tuned by changing the ethylenediamine (EDA) and Cd ion concentrations. The magnetic investigations by superconducting quantum interference device indicate that the hierarchical nanostructures have an Morin transition at lower temperature (230 K) than that of the single bulk α-Fe₂O₃ materials (263 K). Importantly, the hierarchical nanostructures exhibit weakly ferromagnetic characteristics at 300 K. A sharp peak assigned to the surface trap induced emission are observed in room temperature PL spectra. Combining with the optoelectronic properties of CdS, the CdS/α-Fe₂O₃ hierarchical nanostructures may be used as multi-functional materials for optoelectronic and magnetic devices. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 50772025 and 50872159), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. 2008DFR20420), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 20060400042 and 200801044), the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province, China (Grant No. F200828), the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (Grant No. 20070217002), and the Innovation Foundation of Harbin City (Grant No. RC2006QN017016)     

A comparative study of field-emission from different one dimensional carbon nanostructures synthesized via thermal CVD system

Different one dimensional (1D) carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanonoodles (CNNs), carbon nanospikes (CNSs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been synthesized via thermal chemical vapour deposition (TCVD) technique. The different 1D morphologies were synthesized by varying the substrate material and the deposition conditions. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). FESEM and TEM images showed that the diameters of the CNNs and CNTs were ∼40 nm while the diameters of the CNSs were around 100 nm. Field emission studies of the as-prepared samples showed that CNSs to be a better field emitter than CNNs, whereas CNTs are the best among the three producing large emission current. The variation of field emission properties with inter-electrode distance has been studied in detail. Also the time dependent field emission studies of all the nanostructures have been carried out.     

Sonochemistry-assisted microwave synthesis and optical study of single-crystalline CdS nanoflowers

Well-defined flower-like CdS nanostructures have been synthesized by applying ultrasound and microwave simultaneously, which consist of hexagonal nanopyramids and/or nanoplates depending on different sulfur sources. It is shown that the synergistic effect of microwave and sonochemistry is the main mechanism for the formation of the nanoflowers. Optical characterization of the nanoflowers shows a large blue-shift up to 100 nm in comparing with simple low-dimensional CdS nanostructures. This structure induced shift in optical properties may have potential applications in optoelectronics devices, catalysis, and solar cells.     

Microtubule‐Templated Cadmium Sulfide Nanotube Assemblies

This paper describes the use of microtubules (MTs) as nanoscale templates for the biologically directed growth and assembly of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanotubes. CdS is a wide bandgap semiconductor with valuable optical, electronic, and chemical properties, and the organization of CdS nanostructures is critical to their widespread utility. The present work explores a bioinspired, biomediated approach to the formation and assembly of CdS nanotubes. In particular, a biomimetic synthetic strategy is used to control the uniform growth of cubic zinc blende CdS nanocrystals on MT templates, replicating the MTs' tubular morphology with dense CdS only a single nanocrystal thick. Furthermore, specific interactions between MTs and functional microtubule‐associated proteins (MAPs) are exploited to manipulate the secondary organization of these MT templates. The subsequent directed growth of CdS nanotubes on these structures produces specific biomediated architectures including linear arrays, 3D asters, and rings. Finally, cathodoluminescence from MT‐templated CdS structures verifies that the valuable semiconducting character of these materials is exhibited. These demonstrations of nanoscale materials synthesis and assembly illustrate a new level of complexity and control over materials synthesis that may be achieved using such biological tools and processes.     

Fabrication of the stable adduct CdS/CTAB/Clay with sandwich-like nanostructures

The ordered multilayer adducts have been synthesized by electrostatic self-assembly between exfoliated sodium montmorillonite nanoplatelets and substituted CdS/CTAB cationic polyelectrolytes, in which sodium montmorillonite particles are exfoliated by means of extensive swelling and CdS/CTAB polyelectrolytes are obtained by sonicating CdS nanoparticles in CTAB water suspension. The build-up of the stable adducts with sandwich-like nanostructures has been demonstrated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. TEM cross-sectional images indicate that the nanocomposites are aligned parallel to form ordered structures. And UV–Vis and PL spectra show the presence of the inorganic functional components. It may be predicted that this self-assembly technique can be generalized to prepare other sandwich-like nanocomposites with desired optical, electro-optical, electronic, catalytic and magnetic properties.     

Controllable synthesis,characterization,and growth mechanism of hollow Zn_x Cd_(1-x) S spheres generated by a one-step thermal evaporation method

Novel hollow ZnxCdl xS spheres that are uniform in size are synthesized through the one-step thermal evaporation of a mixture of Zn and CdS powder. From an X-ray diffraction （XRD） study, the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnxCdl_xS is verified, and the Zn mole fraction （x） is determined to be 0.09. According to the experimental results, we propose a mechanism for the growth of Zn0.09Cd0.91S hollow spheres. The results of the cathodoluminescence investigation indicate uniform Zn, Cd, and S distribution of alloyed Zn0.09Cd0.91S, instead of separate CdS, ZnS, or nanocrystals of a core- shell structure. To the best of our knowledge, the fabrication of ZnxCd1-xS hollow spheres of this kind by one-step thermal evaporation has never been reported. This work would present a new method of growing and applying hollow spheres on Si substrates, and the discovery of the Zn0.09Cd0.91S hollow spheres would make the investigation of ZnxCd1-xS micro/nanostructures more interesting and intriguing.     

Surface enhanced Raman scattering by CdS quantum dots

Surface enhanced Raman scattering is studied in nanostructures with CdS quantum dots formed using the Langmuir-Blodgett technology. Features due to quantum dot longitudinal optical phonons are observed in the Raman spectra of both free CdS quantum dots and such dots distributed in an organic matrix. The surface enhanced Raman scattering by nanostructures with CdS quantum dots covered by an Ag cluster film is observed experimentally. Applying Ag clusters onto the nanostructure surfaces results in a sharp (40-fold) increase in the intensity of Raman scattering by optical phonons in the quantum dots. It is shown that the dependence of surface enhanced Raman scattering on the excitation energy is resonant with a maximum at the energy corresponding to the maximum absorption coefficient of Ag clusters.     

Observation of memory behaviour in cadmium sulphide nanorods doped ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture

In this study, cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanorods doped ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) sample cells have been prepared and studied. A memory effect has been observed in CdS nanorods (≤0.3?wt%) doped FLC mixture and confirmed by textures, dielectric and optical studies. The addition of nanorods increases the memory behaviour and efficiency. The occurrence of memory behaviour has been explained due to charge transfer from liquid crystal molecules to CdS nanorods and exists there for 5–15?min in 0.1–0.3?wt% CdS nanorods doped samples. An improvement in polarization, switching time, threshold voltage and rise time parameters has also been noticed in CdS nanorods doped FLC samples.