Structural, optical and photoconductivity study of ZnS nanoparticles synthesized by a low temperature solid state reaction method

In the present work, ZnS nanoparticles have been synthesized by a simple solid state reaction method at different temperatures. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the synthesized ZnS nanoparticles have a zinc blende structure of ZnS. SEM micrographs show formation of spherical nanoparticles of ZnS. UV-vis spectra show blue-shifting in an absorption edge corresponding to all the synthesized ZnS nanoparticles as compared to their bulk counterparts. FTIR study is performed to determine the absorbance and nature of bonds present in synthesized samples. Photoconductivity properties have been investigated by varying voltage and as a function of time. Photocurrent varies linearly for all the synthesized samples. Rise and decay exhibit negative photoconductivity in samples synthesized at lower temperatures. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.