Synthesis and study of optical properties of transition metals doped ZnS nanoparticles.

ZnS and transition metal (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ag and Cd) doped ZnS were synthesized using chemical precipitation method in an air atmosphere. The structural and optical properties were studied using various techniques. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that the particles are in cubic structure. The mean size of the nanoparticles calculated through Scherrer equation is in the range of 4-6.1 nm. Elemental dispersive (EDX) analysis of doped samples reveals the presence of doping ions. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies show that the synthesized particles are in spherical shape. Optical characterization of both undoped and doped samples was carried out by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of all the samples are blue shifted from the bulk ZnS. An optimum doping level of the transition metals for enhanced PL properties are found through optical study.