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Efficient and Photostable ZnS‐Passivated CdS:Mn Luminescent Nanocrystals
Author(s) -
Yang H.,
Holloway P. H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200305011
Subject(s) - nanocrystal , materials science , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , passivation , photoluminescence , luminescence , irradiation , photochemistry , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , layer (electronics) , optoelectronics , chemistry , physics , nuclear physics , engineering
Efficient and photostable ZnS‐passivated CdS:Mn (CdS:Mn/ZnS core/shell) nanocrystals were synthesized using reverse micelle chemistry. CdS:Mn/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals exhibited much improved luminescent properties (quantum yield and photostability) over organically ( n ‐dodecanethiol‐) capped CdS:Mn nanocrystals. This is the result of effective, robust passivation of CdS surface states by the ZnS shell and consequent suppression of non‐radiative recombination transitions. The dependence of photoluminescence (PL) intensity has been observed as a function of UV irradiation time for both organically and inorganically capped CdS:Mn nanocrystals. Whereas organically capped CdS:Mn nanocrystals exhibit a significant reduction of PL intensity, CdS:Mn/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals exhibit an increased PL intensity with UV irradiation. XPS (X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) studies reveal that UV irradiation of CdS:Mn/ZnS nanocrystals in air atmosphere induces the photo‐oxidation of the ZnS shell surface, leading to the formation of ZnSO 4 . This photo‐oxidation product is presumably responsible for the enhanced PL emission, serving as a passivating layer.