Effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone as capping agent on Ce3+ doped flowerlike ZnS nanostructure

Nanoparticles of zinc sulfide doped with Ce³⁺ have been synthesized through a simple chemical precipitation method utilizing optimum dopant concentration (1.5 g) and employing various concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, M.W: 40,000) as capping agent. The optical properties of the synthesized products were studied by UV–Vis absorption and photoluminescence measurements. The phase and size of the products were predicted by X-ray diffraction data. The existence of functional groups in the synthesized products was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Field emission scanning electron microscope results of Ce³⁺ doped ZnS show a uniform growth pattern of the nanorods with flowerlike structure. However, on surfactant assisted Ce³⁺ doped ZnS nanoparticles, the morphology of the products was changed from rod to spherical particles. The morphologies of the uncapped and PVP capped ZnS nanocrystals were confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy.