Formation and optical properties of ZnSe and ZnS nanocrystals in glasses

ZnSe and ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) were precipitated in glasses through heat-treatment High resolution transmission electron microscope image confirmed that ZnSe NCs were formed in the silicate glasses, and the X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that ZnS NCs were precipitated in the borosilicate glasses. Absorption shoulders of the ZnSe NCs and ZnS NCs appeared at similar to 2.76 eV and similar to 3.78 eV, corresponding to the bandgap energies of bulk ZnSe and ZnS crystals, respectively. Instead of the intrinsic emissions, broad-band visible photoluminescence from the surface-defects or color centers in the glasses was observed from these ZnSe or ZnS NCs. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.